July 23, 2020 | How are you doing? It’s something we ask others on a regular basis, but these days it’s a very important question, one that needs to be asked. COVID-19 and all that it entails has caused a great deal of stress among Americans since the beginning of this year. For those worried about COVID-19 or related issues, UAMS has developed the AR-Connect program, designed to help people deal the stress and strains of today’s world. AR-Connect is a comprehensive program created to provide care to all Arkansans dealing with a variety of mental-health issues, from substance abuse disorders to illnesses like depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. AR-Connect provides assistance via telephone and tele-video virtual visits that can be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. No referral is necessary; anyone needing help will find it only a phone call away. To contact the AR-Connect mental health professionals, call 526-3563 or 1-800-482-9921.

July 23, 2020 | Fear and anxiety about a new disease and what could happen can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Public health actions, such as social distancing, can make people feel isolated and lonely and can increase stress and anxiety. However, these actions are necessary to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Stress during an infectious disease outbreak can lead to fear and worry about your own health and the health of your loved ones, your financial situation or job or the loss of support services that you rely on. It can cause changes in sleep or eating patterns. You may have difficulty sleeping or concentrating as a result of stress. It can also cause a worsening of chronic health problems or of mental health conditions. Surveys have shown that many dealing with the stress of COVID-19 have turned to increased use of tobacco, and/or alcohol and other substances. Coping with stress in a healthy way, however, will make you stronger.

July 23, 2020 | How you respond to stress during the COVID-19 pandemic can depend on a lot of things, from your medical history to your financial situation, even the community that you live in. According to therapist Tony Boaz of the UAMS AR-Connect program, front line workers like nurses and paramedics are more likely to respond positively to the stress of a crisis, as are workers in the food industry. People who have lost their jobs or had major changes in their employment as a result of COVID-19 are considered a higher risk for stress. People who have a substance use disorder or have an existing mental health condition are also more likely to be suffering additional stress due to current conditions in our country. UAMS’ Boaz says taking care of your friends and your family can be a stress reliever, but it should be balanced with care for yourself. Phone calls or video chats can help you and your loved ones feel socially connected and less lonely or isolated.

July 23, 2020 | Here are some important tips on how to cope with stress related to the current COVID-19 pandemic. First and foremost, know what to do if you are sick and are concerned about COVID-19. Consult with a health professional before you start any form of self-treatment for the virus. Second, find out where and how to get help for stress you are dealing with, it may be in person or through a telehealth service. Next, take breaks from watching the news or reading stories on social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting. Be sure to take care of your physical health as well as your mental health. That means eating healthy, well-balanced meals, exercising regularly and getting plenty of sleep. And try to avoid excessive use of alcohol and tobacco, especially alcohol, since drinking weakens your body’s ability to fight infections, increases the risk of complications and makes it harder to get better if you are sick.

July 23, 2020 | When it comes to dealing with stress related to COVID-19, it’s important to know the facts about the virus and stop the spread of rumors and gossip. Understanding the risk to yourself and people you care about can help you connect with others and make an outbreak less stressful. Diseases can make anyone sick regardless of their age, race or ethnicity. Fear and anxiety about COVID-19 can cause people to avoid or reject others even though they are not at risk for spreading the virus. Mental health conditions like anxiety or depression can affect a person’s thinking, feeling, mood or behavior in a way that influences their ability to relate to others and function each day. These conditions may be short-term or long lasting. People with preexisting mental health conditions should continue with their treatment and be aware of new or worsening symptoms. If you think you have new or worse symptoms, please call your health care provider.