by Brent Follas, Senior National Service Officer
Taking care of your well-being, including your mental health, is essential during this time. Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations. Many people may experience stress, fear, anxiety, or feelings of depression. This is normal. There are things that you can do to manage your stress and anxiety:
•Exercise regularly, try to eat well-balanced meals, and get plenty of sleep.
•Take showers and get dressed as you would normally do during a regular day.
•Limit alcohol.
•Practice breathing exercises and/or meditation. VA has many free mental health apps for Veterans.
•Take breaks from the news (see below for tips).
•Stay connected with others while practicing social distancing (see below for tips).
•Participate in activities or hobbies that you enjoy, or learn a new one.
•Keep your current mental health appointments. VA offers both video and phone telemental health options that do not require you to go to your closest facility in-person should you have a medical concern or need to follow specific social distancing guidelines in your community.
•Learn ways to connect with VA providers using telehealth options and schedule or reschedule your appointment online. If you are requesting a new mental health appointment, please call your local VA and they will work to arrange an appointment for you. If you need same day access for mental health services, call your local VA to request this and you will be connected to care.
Also, see these great resources on managing stress and anxiety related to COVID-19:
•Moving Forward
•National Center for PTSD Guidance on Managing Stress
•CDC Guidance on COVID19 Mental Health Support
Sometimes it is wise to take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories. It can be upsetting to hear about the crisis and see images repeatedly. If you feel anxious or stressed from the information, struggle to turn off the TV or log off of social media, or have trouble sleeping, you might want to limit the amount and type of news you are viewing. Try to do enjoyable activities, return to normal life as much as possible, and check for updates between breaks.
It is important to realize that during times of social distancing, it is normal to have increased feelings of loneliness, sadness, fear, or anxiety. It is imperative for everyone to stay connected. Seek support from family, friends, mentors, clergy, and those who are in similar circumstances. While face-to-face communication may be difficult, be flexible and creative using phone, email, text messaging, and video calls. Sign up or join a virtual social network that includes service members and Veterans.
Additionally, keep in touch with fellow Veterans and assist them in navigating this new environment if they are having a hard time. Teach them how to use VA Video Connect through the VA mobile app store as VA increases virtual health and mental health appointment availability. As a Veteran, you have been uniquely trained in emergency response situations. Your resilience and strength can assist others during these times. Connection can also happen when you give back to your community by sharing your expertise and support with family, friends, and neighbors through acts of kindness and volunteer opportunities which will arise.
Moreover, stay engaged with VA information as it becomes available so you can continue to maintain your health. VA's Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) webpage has the most current information and VA's Coronavirus FAQs page provides answers to many important questions. Stay connected of Coronavirus information as it becomes available by visiting the CDC's Coronavirus page. Finally, stay up-to-date on what the federal government is doing in response to the pandemic at the USA.gov page.
Remember, we are all in this together. We are struggling together; we will triumph together. As veterans, we are trained leaders and we have overcome many different obstacles, as well as, sacrificed our lives to protect our country. Although, this is an adversity unlike our generations have ever seen, we will be victorious because of our strength, resolve, passion and because, we are Americans. God bless America!
Be Kind, Be Safe and Be Healthy.