The COVID-19 pandemic has tested our ties with friends, family, teammates and coworkers. But along the way, people have found creative ways to stay connected. A virtual game night. An outdoors gathering. A parade of parents, driving their kids past a friend’s house to say happy birthday.
Our social connections have the power to boost our mental and physical health. Find ways to strengthen your connections with the people who add meaning to your life, whether by texting an old friend out of the blue, or checking in on a friend or neighbor. Take a moment to think about who you lean on in challenging times and how you can support those who lean on you.
When a mental health challenge is beginning to affect aspects of your life, such as your work and relationships, it’s time to reach out for support. People experiencing mental health challenges may be unable to do the following:
If you fell and broke your leg, you’d go see a doctor. Think of mental health challenges in exactly the same way. It’s OK to ask for help when you need it — to find a therapist, try out a support group, or confide in a family member or friend.
The resources toward the bottom of this page offer additional information and places to turn if you need support. If you or someone you know is facing a mental health crisis, text 'TEAM' to 741741 to access free support through the Crisis Text Line, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Knowing that people care about you – that people see you – is a powerful thing. If you’re concerned about a family member or friend, reach out to them. Start a conversation. Show that you’re thinking about them.
It helps to approach these conversations with empathy and humility. Realize that we can’t know everything about someone else’s experience. Be open to learning about their experiences and their feelings.
Remember: Our mental health is shaped by individual, social and societal factors — including our biology, our upbringing and current events. The same experience may affect two people in different ways, and we all need different forms of support.
Remember, there’s no expectation for you to solve the problem. Active listening is about being present and reminding the other person that they are not alone.
I have my best friends from high school and middle school still with me. My family’s always around and I just keep the same circle and I think that’s important. Finding that circle, finding those people that you can really trust is important for your mental stability.
- Trae Young
Atlanta Hawks
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