Remember, it’s OK to not be OK right now

How are you doing? Really, how are YOU?

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, but to focus on mental health awareness once a year is an injustice. Given the world we are all living in as a result of COVID-19, the global need for mental health care and awareness has never been greater. There’s no health without mental health.

We’ve spent the last six months caring about the physical — analyzing every sneeze, questioning if our sore throat caused by seasonal allergies is something more, or if our toddler’s fever is really just “a bug” they picked up at daycare.

But the impacts of COVID-19 on the mind and spirit can be just as debilitating as the physical.

Before the pandemic, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reported an estimated one in five Americans dealt with mental health challenges as part of their daily lives. In the present day, I believe this number is far greater. In Central Florida, nearly 60 percent of people surveyed in our 2019 Community Health Needs Assessment said they are hopeless or depressed. That’s COVID-19 came to town.

Living in uncertainty and ambiguity is enough to make anyone feel uneasy and stressed out. Add to that the physical separation and social isolation we are enduring as we do our part to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and the impacts can be devastating.

By nature, we are meant to be social, so it is counterintuitive for us to quarantine and distance ourselves from others, especially family and friends. I’ve seen an increase in patients who have no previous history of mental-health challenges experiencing sleepless nights and constant worry. It’s OK to not be OK right now.

I know firsthand how debilitating these feelings can be if left untreated. I sought help for my own mental health after surviving a terrorist attack in Mumbai, India, in 2008. As part of my recovery, I started running. One mile turned into a 5K that turned into a marathon. All the while, my physical and mental health improved.

For many years, mental health has had a stigma to it — leading people to not seek care and suffer in silence in the shadows. We know the need is acute.

In the past, state funding for mental health services has been challenging. As a result, there was a lack of resources, leaving some of the most vulnerable among us to go without support for their needs.

Fortunately, there are growing signs the tide is turning — both in recognizing we need to break that stigma, and that funding is needed to do it.

Since taking office last year, Gov. Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis have elevated mental health and made it a statewide priority. The state’s budget proposal includes increased funding for mental health, and we are encouraged by their ongoing commitment.

Here in Central Florida, AdventHealth is working with community partners including the Seminole County Sheriff ’s Office, the Mental Health Association of Central Florida, Freedom Ride and Orange Blossom Family Health on a range of initiatives that are using innovative ways to treat substance abuse, trauma and other mental health issues.

Others in the community are spreading the message and helping end the stigma, too. Orange County Sheriff John Mina has been at the forefront of his agency’s “It’s OK to not be OK” campaign, which is aimed at preventing suicide among law enforcement officers. There are ways you can help, too. Think about the senior citizens in your life. The elderly face a higher risk for COVID-19 and are living more in isolation than any other population — leading to higher levels of fear, anxiety and depression. There are little things you can do to reach out to seniors to help them feel cared for and less alone. A phone call, letter, window visit — get creative. A small act of kindness goes a long way.

Consider the children in your life. They may not be able to articulate how they are feeling and process the stress and anxiety by internalizing it. This can cause physical symptoms and behavioral issues — warning signs include depression, acting out, lack of sleep, and decrease in appetite. If you see these signals, consult with your child’s pediatrician.

And, most importantly, consider yourself and be open and honest about how you feel. Take the time to care for yourself and find or create moments of joy. Get outside for some fresh air. Walk or exercise. Do an act of kindness for others. Find a reason to laugh. It can improve your emotional well-being.

It can be difficult to speak about mentalhealth challenges, but we can all play a part in reducing the stigma. I assure you, you are not alone. It’s OK to get help.