Coronavirus pandemic and mental health

Coronavirus pandemic and mental health

At 11.

Even if you're not infected, the coronavirus pandemic can still be a very difficult time.

It's shifting and moving life in a way that makes it hard to prepare for.

My co-anchor dorothy sherman has been operating remotely this week.

She explains how the outbreak is affecting mental health and what you can do about it.

That's our top local story.

If you're feeling fear or anxiety in the covid-19 pandemic, you're not alone.

Tennessee suicide prevention network southeast regional director rachel geringer: "you don't have to suffer in silence.

There are resources out there and that if you are struggling with your mental health right now, that is okay.

That is you know kind of normal given everything that is going on."

I spoke with tennessee suicide prevention network southeast regional director rachel geringer on the phone.

She says that the conversations of people using the keyword "tn" for tennesseans in the 24/7 crisis text line is up 63 percent in march compared to the same time last year.

Tennessee suicide prevention network southeast regional director rachel geringer: "they're also showing that in these conversations that more people are using terms like virus' and pandemic' and things like that.

So we do know that there is a lot of anxiety and difficulties associated with the covid-19 pandemic ."

Helen ross mcnabb center greater chattanooga senior director gayle lodato says in situations like the coronavirus pandemic, mental health can be impacted whether or not there's a history of mental health concerns.

Helen ross mcnabb center greater chattanooga senior director gayle lodato: "not only the increased anxiety and feeling alone, but also you know we're being asked to socially isolate and to stay home, shelter in place.

That can be very isolative.

So, depression can come from that, in addition to increase of substance use."

Lodato says to help lower anxiety focus on self care like exercising and getting enough sleep.

Dorothy sherman / http: we will have more information on resources and ways to get help on our website, wdef-dot-com.

The hamilton