LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — As changes and restrictions continue to be made to daily life, mental health professionals want to help people to care for themselves.
It’s important that people check in with how they’re feeling right now, said Dr. David Maynard, a counselor based in Lexington. He’s made changes to ensure he can continue to speak to his clients virtually, he said.
“They’re grateful that it's an option,” he said, “That their treatment is not just going to have to stop.”
But Maynard said he knows many others will want help to deal with stress related to the response to coronavirus.
On his website, kycounseling.org, is a section called “getting through COVID-19 without going crazy.”
The website includes advice on how to stay mentally healthy while having to socially distance.
“I recommend that people FaceTime, that they call,” he said. “Maybe call relatives that you haven't spoken to in a long time, check in with them, see how they're doing.”
Maynard also noted it is also important to get exercise.
“If we end up having to stay inside for two weeks or however long it will be, we're going to end up going stir crazy,” he said. “It’s going to be hard and movement is so helpful.”
Many other companies and organizations are offering mental health help as well. New Vista announced Friday that its app, myStrength, will be available free to help those with mental health and substance use concerns. To use the app, you need to use the code seethegood.
The app is available at www.mystrength.com
