PORTLAND, Ore. — This week, our big topic on KGW Digital Q&A was mental health. How are we all doing? How can we cope during this pandemic?
We're in the middle of Mental Health Awareness Month. But we don't need to limit our focus on mental health to one month a year. Mental health is always important.
The three main topics that were addressed on this week's digital Q&A were:
- How is everyone doing right now?
- What can we do if we're struggling?
- How can we help others who are struggling?
To help us address this important topic, KGW's Cassidy Quinn spoke with two mental-health experts, Lines for Life Chief Clinical Officer Greg Borders and National Alliance on Mental Health Executive Director Chris Bouneff.
The following are some of the questions Chris and Greg answered during this week's digital Q&A. They also answered some questions sent in by viewers.
- What have you been hearing from people lately? How is everyone doing during this pandemic? What sense have you gotten on how people are feeling lately?
- What are the signs and symptoms we should be watching out for in ourselves and others around us?
- What kind of check-in should we be doing with ourselves to assess how we're feeling?
- One big issue right now is isolation. What can we do when we feel lonely at home?
- When does that isolation turn into depression? How do you know when you've gotten to that point?
- When is the right time to reach out to a therapist?
- How can you find a therapist that's right for you?
- What advice do you have for those of us struggling with anxiety right now?
- What can people do to support friends or family members who aren't feeling good mentally?
- What resources do the organization you both work for have for those who are struggling right now?
Resources
KGW's recent coverage of mental health:
- Lines for Life experts, KGW Assistant News Director John Tierney answer mental health questions during social isolation AMA on Reddit
- Lines for Life calls increase, 911 calls down during COVID-19
- 'People are struggling': Oregon mental health groups make call to action during COVID-19
- May is Mental Health Awareness Month: Here are tips on how to help yourself and others
- Lines for Life offering 'Virtual Wellness Rooms' for essential workers
- Mental health expert weighs in on challenges of social isolation
- How are you really doing? Experts offer advice on self-evaluating during isolation
- Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare still offering mental health, substance use treatment amid pandemic
- Helpful resources for Oregonians impacted by coronavirus
Mental health resources for Oregon, SW Washington:
- Oregon Health Authority addiction and Mental Health Services
- Oregon 211: Free 24-7 referral and information help line
- Apply for Medicaid
- NAMI Oregon: NAMI Oregon offers free online support groups and classes for individuals, parents/caregivers, and families affected by mental health disorders through its 15 chapters across Oregon and offers a resource and navigation Help line weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm. 503-230-8009, 800-343-6264
- NAMI Southwest Washington: (Clark County and neighboring counties) offers online support groups, classes and navigation services for individuals and families affected by behavioral health disorders. 360-695-2823
- COVID-19 Mental Health Resource Hub: More on individual wellness and links to other service organizations
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 800-273-8255: 24/7 crisis intervention for individuals at risk of self-harm and/or families and friends with a loved one who they believe is at risk
- Disaster Distress Helpline, 800-985-5990, or text TalkWithUs to 66746: Provides 24/7, 365-day-a-year crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.
- National Domestic Violence Hotline, 800-799-7233 and TTY 800-787-3224
- Washington State 24-hour Crisis Line, 866-427-4747
- Oregon David Romprey Warm Line, 800-698-2392: Peer support help for individuals living with mental health disorders
- Reach Out Oregon Warm Line, 833-732-2467: Support for parents/caregivers raising children with behavioral health challenges. Weekdays (except holidays) from 12-7 p.m.
- Other Oregon-based warm lines for seniors, teens, and others
- Washington State Warm Line, 877-500-WARM: A peer support help line for people living with emotional and mental health challenges.
- CVAB Warm Line (Clark County), 360-903-2853, 4 p.m. until midnight: Peer support help for individuals living with mental health disorders
- A 10-minute guided imagery for reducing stress/anxiety in the moment
- A resource for creating a gratitude journal
- A podcast by Brene’ Brown on over/under functioning during anxious times
- Centers for Disease Control
- Aspire App for your phone, Download the app (Apple or Google Play)
Past episodes
You can access all of the KGW Digital Q&A episodes on KGW's YouTube channel.
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