Care for Self and Soul
Supporting Good Mental Health
Practicing our faith at home has become more important as we have transitioned to staying at home in order to keep ourselves and others healthy. While staying at home is a good practice to prevent the spread of COVID-19, it can and does come with some cost to our mental health. The Church of England has offered a PDF resource, titled Supporting Good Mental Health, that has reflections on aspects of mental health for thirteen days. That resource can be found at the end of this section.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Lexington offers support through the WarmLine. This is a call-line that provides non-crisis emotional and coping support to community members. Each operator provide supportive listening, practical coping skills, and share community resource information. This line is open Monday-Friday 10AM-4PM and Monday-Saturday 5PM-9PM. The phone number is: (877)-840-5167.
If you, a friend, or a family member is in crisis call 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This line is available 24/7 and is staffed by trained counselors.
Pastoral Care
Mtr. Laurie is available for pastoral counseling. Email her or call the Church Office to schedule a time to talk (via Zoom or in person with masks and social distancing).
Ways of Dealing with Life in Pandemic
Helping Children and Teens
Children and Teenagers also experience anixety and uncertainty about COVD-19. They too have had their lives disrupted and may have anxiety about this time in their lives. Seattle Children's Hospital has an article on how to help children and teens cope with anxiety. This article can be accessed here. The article also has links to additional resources.
Practicing our faith at home has become more important as we have transitioned to staying at home in order to keep ourselves and others healthy. While staying at home is a good practice to prevent the spread of COVID-19, it can and does come with some cost to our mental health. The Church of England has offered a PDF resource, titled Supporting Good Mental Health, that has reflections on aspects of mental health for thirteen days. That resource can be found at the end of this section.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Lexington offers support through the WarmLine. This is a call-line that provides non-crisis emotional and coping support to community members. Each operator provide supportive listening, practical coping skills, and share community resource information. This line is open Monday-Friday 10AM-4PM and Monday-Saturday 5PM-9PM. The phone number is: (877)-840-5167.
If you, a friend, or a family member is in crisis call 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This line is available 24/7 and is staffed by trained counselors.
Pastoral Care
Mtr. Laurie is available for pastoral counseling. Email her or call the Church Office to schedule a time to talk (via Zoom or in person with masks and social distancing).
Ways of Dealing with Life in Pandemic
- Pray. The Church is open Monday-Friday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm & 5:30PM-6:30PM. Name your feelings to God. Feeling lonely and sad during this time is absolutely normal. Reflect on something you're thankful for. Complain if you need to. God loves us...period. We can be honest with God about where we are.
- Reach out to friends. Make a phone call or schedule a video call. Name your feelings when talking with other people. An example is to say: "I feel (feeling/emotion), because (what the cause is)." In turn, reach out to your friends, even if it's a quick check in.
- As you are able, be physically active. Take a walk around the block. Put on some music and dance. Wiggle and giggle.
- Play. Read a book. Do a puzzle. Draw. Create. Find an online class or arts performance that interests you. Write letters. Being alone is lonely...and it can be a gift. Explore ways you can be a loving presence to yourself and others in this time.
- Listen to Coronavirus updates and follow the medical guidelines, and know when to turn off the tv. We can become saturated with too much news.
- Check in with yourself physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Keep track of when you last exercised, connected with someone else, enjoyed a hobby, cooked a favorite food, and prayed.
- Reach out for help. This time feels hard because it is hard. Taking care of ourselves in body, mind, and spirit is an act of love. Finding a therapist, taking medication, and reaching out for support are just some of the ways we can help ourselves during this time.
Helping Children and Teens
Children and Teenagers also experience anixety and uncertainty about COVD-19. They too have had their lives disrupted and may have anxiety about this time in their lives. Seattle Children's Hospital has an article on how to help children and teens cope with anxiety. This article can be accessed here. The article also has links to additional resources.
| Supporting Good Mental Health Church of England |
