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MHAM Statement
The Mental Health Association in Michigan cares about your mental health and the mental health of those you love. As the state of Michigan and its citizens navigate the challenges of COVID-19 or "coronavirus" by closing schools, canceling sporting events, limiting the number of individuals who can congregate and by reporting the increasing numbers of individuals who are testing positive for the virus, anxiety among Michiganders is growing. This anxiety is understandable. 

There are ways to manage the anxiety and here are some resources that may be helpful to you in these days of uncertainty and changing conditions. 
THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2020

The following is a statement from Paul Gionfriddo, President and CEO, Mental Health America:

“As the number of cases of COVID-19 increase, so does the associated anxiety.

“For the general public, the mental health effects of COVID-19 are as important to address as are the physical health effects. And for the one in five who already have mental health conditions – or the one in two who are at risk of developing them – we need to take personal, professional, and policy measures now to address them.

“Individuals who are beginning to experience “forced” isolation should:

  • Use your smart phone to stay connected to family and friends. Shift from texting to voice or video calling to feel more connected.
  • Keep comfortable. Do the things you already enjoy doing at home; just do more of them.
  • Practice stress relief whenever you feel anxiety building – do some deep breathing, exercise, read, dig in the garden, eat some ice cream – whatever works for you.
  • Don’t do anything you’d consider to be unhealthy for you, such as excess drinking – that will just increase your anxiety afterwards.
  • Keep looking forward. Make some plans for six months down the road.

To read this full statement, please CLICK HERE.
Resources
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has a disaster helpline that is available for all Americans

The Disaster Distress Helpline, 1-800-985-5990, is a 24/7, 365-day-a-year, national hotline dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. This toll-free, multilingual and confidential crisis support service is available to all residents in the United States and its territories. Stress, anxiety and other depression-like symptoms are common reactions after a disaster. Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.   https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline

Deaf/Hard of Hearing & Spanish

Deaf/Hard of Hearing

Text TalkWithUs to 66746

Use your preferred relay service to call the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990

TTY 1-800-846-8517

Spanish Speakers
Call 1-800-985-5990 and press "2"

From the 50 States, text Hablanos to 66746

From Puerto Rico, text Hablanos to 1-787-339-2663
The Mental Health Association in Michigan is here to be a support to you and to those you love. Please reach out to us if you need additional resources.

Sincerely,

Marianne E. Huff, LMSW 
President and CEO
Mental Health Association in Michigan 
1100 W. Saginaw Ste. 111-B Lansing, MI  
Mental Health Association in Michigan
Marianne Huff, LMSW, President & CEO | Oliver Cameron, M.D., Ph.D., Board Chair
NEW ADDRESS
1100 West Saginaw, Suite 1-B | L ansing, MI 48864-5956
P: 517.898.3907 | F: 517.913.5941
[email protected] | mha-mi.com (membership available on-line)
A United Way-Supported Agency, affiliated with Mental Health America