Small-town reacts to coronavirus19 with compassion toward other

We are weeks in the coronavirus19 pandemic and self-isolation mandates. Death tolls continue to rise, as do the number of positive tests, and social media is showing everyone’s concerns and fears. I live in Starke, a small town in northern Florida. People are sharing information about availability of free food for those in need, local restaurants are offering take out to keep staff employed, they are sharing job offerings for those laid off, and making face masks for protection. The town and county is pulling together to help others. It is gratifying to witness this.

Remember to wash your hands after touching surfaces others have touched. Keep all surfaces clean. Stay six feet away from others if you have to go out. Stay in isolation as recommended by CDC. Check references of news that you see on social media. Bananas will not cure the virus, nor will vinegar and salt; these are some that I have come across. Go to the CDC website to ensure you are getting up-to-date accurate information.

Stay healthy.

Depression

I was scrolling online looking at cute pets and shopping sale items when an article caught my eye. The article was about a young 16 year old (Rainy Brown) who stars in a reality show about Alaska. I watch a lot of the those shows because the scenery is so beautiful and the homesteading life is so far from mine that I marvel at how the people cope in such isolation and frigid temperatures. This article was about the struggles this young lady was facing living with depression.

This young lady reported that she experienced times when she was not able to get out of bed, had aches and pains, and felt like a “husk”. She has tweeted to fans her insight into how she has coped and encourages other to take time off to rest when they feel overwhelmed and stressed. She has learned to recognize the need to rebuild one’s self. Sound advise from someone so young.

I found that with depression, one of the most important things you could realise is that you’re not alone Dwayne Johnson.

Many high profile people have shared how their lives have been affected by depression and the daily struggles they face. Most are able to function and get through the day; but some are not able to continue. The celebrities who have talked about their depression are older. I was struck that someone so young would so bravely share her story and have such good insight. Depression, as all mental illnesses, is an equal opportunist; all ages, races, genders and economic statuses are affected.

My career as a mental health nurse has been working with adults. I was thinking about a patient I worked with many years ago. He was not just sad or down; he is to this day, the only person I have ever seen so severely depressed he was almost paralyzed with
psychomotor retardation. He moved slowly, barely spoke above a whisper, was disheveled, and did not eat. Episodes of severe depression are painful and it is a chore to do anything.

It seemed silly to wash one day when I would only have to wash again the next. It made me tired just to think of it. Sylvia Plath

If you or anyone you know is depressed encourage them to seek treatment. There is no visible wound but depression is a real and painful illness. It cannot be shaken off, or ignored; medications can help as can counseling.

Substance Use and Mental Health Awareness

Substance use and mental health issues are often connected. Individuals will turn to alcohol or other substances to lessen symptoms of a mental illness. Depression causes pain and substances may be used to dull that pain. Anxiety, panic attacks, or PTSD are examples of some other mental illnesses that may cause individuals to turn to substances to mask their symptoms. Illicit use of valium or alcohol may be used to stave a panic attack or marijuana may be used to block the pain of depression for example.

According to an article by the National Bureau of Economic Research, 20% of individuals with mental illness, relative to the general population, abuse alcohol, 27% cocaine and 86% use cigarettes. These figures add up to many people being caught in a cycle of symptoms of a mental health illness and attempting to self medicate. As many as 8.9 million individuals a year are affected by a dual-diagnosis of a mental illness and substance abuse. Unfortunately, only 7.4 % are receiving appropriate treatment according to the Foundation of Recovery Network.

The focus of this entry is to encourage all of us to look at ourselves and our loved ones. If we or anyone we know is struggling with a substance problem, treatment should be an immediate goal. Getting help to sustain from alcohol or drugs and learning what the underlying cause may be and receiving treatment for that issue is essential.