Ashley L Travers, M.A. LPC

Hard times don’t last forever. Mental health resources: Coping with COVID-19 stress: bit.ly/covid-coping COVID-19 resources: mhnational.org/covid19... Crisis Text Line: Text ‘PA’ to 741741 Disaster Distress Helpline: 800-985-5990 PA’s support helpline: 855-284-2494 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline '1-800-273-TALK (8255)' Prevent suicide: preventsuicidepa.org Substance use help: 800-662-4357 Veterans in crisis: veteranscrisisline.net See more

The #COVID19 pandemic might have you feeling overwhelmed and helpless, but there's a silver lining it's normal. There's no shame in having emotional responses... to things that are stressful and out of your control. To take care of the people around you, you have to take care of yourself first. Call the Support & Referral Helpline at 1-855-284-2494 (TTY: 724-631-5600). The helpline is available 24/7 to counsel Pennsylvanians. https://thephiladelphiacitizen.org/pa-helpline-coronavirus/

Students, colleagues and friends: -This is why it’s been hard to focus. -This is why it feels like it takes you twice as long to get things done. -This is why... you’ve been consumed with ensuring that you have the right stuff to sustain your physiological needs. -This is why you’ve been more irritable. -This is why you’ve been craving connection. -This is why you’ve been feeling overwhelmed. -This is why you’ve been physically exhausted. -This is why you’ve been like Oh wait, there’s a paper due? -This is why the idea of planning for the future is the furthest thing from your mind right now. -This is why you only have enough mental energy to focus on the immediate. -This is why you’ve been instinctively prioritizing self care and family. -This is why you’ve been grasping to control what you perceive to be controllable because so much is uncontrollable and unpredictable right now. Students, colleagues and friends: -This is normal. -You are not a slacker. -You are not crazy (Yeah, I know we hate that word). -You should not compare yourself to others. -You should not buy into the narrative that you must emerge a better person. -It’s ok to not be as productive - we are experiencing trauma on a global scale. -It’s ok to just be and feel the way you feel about what’s happening around you and/or to you. -It’s ok to seek help. COVID-19 is a crisis that threatens both our physical and psychological wellness.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and we all need to do our part to make sure that children are safe and cared for during this stressful time. Widespread s...ocial distancing means the risk of child abuse and neglect increases. Be watchful and aware of the children in your community. If you have concerns that a child is not safe or being cared for, take action - it could save a child's life. Report child abuse 24/7 at Childline: 1-800-932-0313 Mandated Reporters can report electronically: bit.ly/2JHAjBr Find Resources for struggling families from United Way: www.uwp.org

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle