Mental Health Awareness Month: Coping During COVID-19

From the desk of: Jess Mattioli

Recently, many of us have seen our lives dramatically change and we are all coping in our own way as we confront the stress and anxiety that many of us are feeling due to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic. For example, I’ve picked up running again – an activity I will tell you I used to truly hate – but has actually been strangely therapeutic. The thump, thump, thump of my feet hitting pavement puts me in a trance-like state and carries me away from reality. And of course, my wine club membership has kept my spirits up too… But today, in honor of the start to Mental Health Awareness month, we just want to say that you’re not alone in how you’re feeling. Most of us, at least once, have felt uncertain and not ourselves as a result of our new reality. 

In addition, most of us have been adhering to shelter-in-place or stay-at-home orders since early March – and that means a lot of us have been living in isolation for nearly two whole months now. Isolation is literally the antithesis of human nature. So, it’s only natural that being separated from loved ones, missing our jobs or routines, postponing or canceling important life events can evoke feelings of sadness, anxiety, stress and even spark depression.  

One of my favorite and fearless human beings, Lizzo, recently opened up to Buzzfeed about her mental health struggles as a symptom of her new reality. Lizzo, like all of us, is trying to manage her extreme feelings of doubt, sadness and anxiety as a result of being cut off from her world. 

“This quarantine has a lot of people suffering from mental health issues because we can’t get out and do our normal coping/self-care routines. Self-hatred was starting to creep up on me, but I gotta remember I am 110% that b*tch.” 

Dang. Lizzo still inspiring me even from the confines of her home…

We’ve heard all about how this pandemic can severely affect our physical health, but we can’t neglect the toll COVID-19 can take on our mental health too. And there are organizations here in Boston, that are not only helping us fight the physical health symptoms of COVID-19 but are available to those of us in our community in need of mental health support too.

Organizations like our event partner, The Dimock Center, heals and uplifts individuals and families in our Greater Boston community experiencing mental health challenges. And AE Events is so grateful to partner with them. The Dimock Center is a unique organization in that they are innovative in their approach to tackling the impact of COVID-19. They have services available to not only those experiencing physical symptoms but mental health symptoms as well. A note from our friends at The Dimock Center:

“During this time, as we are all facing various challenges surrounding COVID-19, we know that maintaining the mental health of our community is vital and we continue to offer these services through telehealth platforms. The Dimock Center can be a resource for you or for a loved one. For more information regarding mental health services, visit www.dimock.org today.”

Please take the time to reach out to friends, family, co-workers and loved ones… check in on them and let them know they’re not alone. Be a good listener for someone who needs to talk about their mental health. Point them in the direction of resources that can help. But most importantly, be kind to yourself because it is okay to feel what you’re feeling. 

And always remember, that even in times like these, you are 110% that b*tch.