While caregiving can be joyful and rewarding, it can also be overwhelming or stressful for even the most resilient people. The pandemic, which has increased social isolation and decreased or changed availability of social services, has made the role of caregiving even more challenging.
Being on the receiving end of a phone call or text when someone is experiencing a mental health crisis is difficult. When a loved one is struggling, you want to do everything you can to help them. And sometimes, you don’t know what that is. As a family member or friend, it can be hard to know what to do, how to act, or what to say when someone is in crisis.
Essential and frontline workers and emergency responders have been involved in the COVID-19 response for many months now. While this work is rewarding, the long hours, breadth of demands, and exposure to human suffering can adversely affect the most seasoned responder. As we transition into the autumn and prepare for both the seasonal flu and the mental health crisis that experts are warning is ahead, this already difficult work may become more so.
September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and in this time of widespread crisis, it is more important than ever to remember you are not alone. Encourage your loved ones to reach out for help if they need it. It is also especially important to keep your guns safely locked away.
Adjusting to the changes COVID-19 has imposed has been very difficult for everyone. We talked with Diana Cortez Yanez, a King County resident who has lived with depression and found hope. She shares about her journey through feelings of despair and loneliness, reaching out for support, and the tools that helped her navigate this time.
September marks National Recovery Month, a time to acknowledge the gains made by those in recovery who have faced challenges from mental health or substance use disorders. Many of us have faced these challenges ourselves or know a close friend or family member who has. This year poses even more challenges, from COVID-19 to wildfire […]