Bladen County emergency responders have reported an increase in substance abuse and trauma-related calls since the COVID-19 (coronavirus) Pandemic hit the mother county. School is out for the summer, and some children may be facing battles that are hard to see, according to some mental health officials.
Mental health includes emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is essential at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood, according to MentalHealth.gov.
Below are two videos to help explain mental health and emotions to children:
Early Warning Signs
Not sure if you or someone you know is living with mental health problems? Experiencing one or more of the following feelings or behaviors can be an early warning sign of a problem:
- Eating or sleeping too much or too little
- Pulling away from people and usual activities
- Having low or no energy
- Feeling numb or like nothing matters
- Having unexplained aches and pains
- Feeling helpless or hopeless
- Smoking, drinking, or using drugs more than usual
- Feeling unusually confused, forgetful, on edge, angry, upset, worried, or scared
- Yelling or fighting with family and friends
- Experiencing severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships
- Having persistent thoughts and memories you can’t get out of your head
- Hearing voices or believing things that are not true
- Thinking of harming yourself or others
- Inability to perform daily tasks like taking care of your kids or getting to work or school
Learn more about specific mental health problems and where to find help.
Below are seven tips MentalHealth.gov gives to maintain positive mental health.
- Getting professional help if you need it
- Connecting with others
- Staying positive
- Getting physically active
- Helping others
- Getting enough sleep
- Developing coping skills
If you live in Bladen County and need professional health or are experiencing a behavioral health crisis, Eastpointe call center is available 24/7 at 1-800-913-6109.
During the COVID-19 pandemic it is more challenging to stay connected. Some suggestions officials have made to stay connected is to have children call other family members on the phone and talk to children about how they are feeling.
Words of positive affirmation may be exactly what a child needs to feel better.
Have children get outside and explore. There are a vareity of blogs with ideas for ways children can play and explore the outdoors or be physically active indoors.
According to MentalFloss.com, volunteering your time, money, or energy to help others doesn’t just make the world better—it also makes you better. Studies indicate that the very act of giving back to the community boosts your happiness, health, and sense of well-being. Here are seven scientific benefits of lending a hand to those in need.
According to Harvard Health, sleep and mental health are closely connected. Sleep deprivation affects your psychological state and mental health. And those with mental health problems are more likely to have insomnia or other sleep disorders.
Understood.org gives five coping skills for children, such as naming your feelings, finding what triggers emotions, and find things that are enjoyable.
Again, if you live in Bladen County and need professional health or are experiencing a behavioral health crisis, Eastpointe call center is available 24/7 at 1-800-913-6109.
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