Mental Health & Coping During COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major effect on our lives. Many of us are facing challenges that can be stressful, overwhelming, and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Learning to cope with stress in a healthy way will make you, the people you care about, and those around you become more resilient.

Click here to take a free mental health screening and to get connected with local services if needed!

Healthy Ways to Cope with Stress

• Take breaks from social media and/or from watching, reading, or listening to news stories. It’s good to be informed, but hearing about the pandemic constantly can increase stress. Consider limiting news to just a couple times a day and disconnecting from phone, tv, and computer screens for a while.
• Take care of your body
  • Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate
  • Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals
  • Exercise regularly – St. Mary’s County has amazing places to walk!
  • Get plenty of sleep
  • Avoid excessive alcohol, tobacco, and substance use
  • Continue with routine preventive measures (such as vaccinations, cancer screenings, etc.) as recommended by your healthcare provider
  • Get vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine
• Make time to unwind — Try to do some other activities you enjoy
• Connect with others — Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling, connect with your community through social organizations

Helping Others Cope

Taking care of yourself can better equip you to take care of others. During times of stress, it is especially important to stay connected with your friends and family. Learn how to recognize the signs that someone may be in crisis, and get resources to help at smchd.org/ruok.

Get Help – Mental Health, Substance Use & Crisis Services

• Local services for mental health and substance use treatment and recovery
  • Local Telehealth Resources
• Maryland 2-1-1 Service Locator
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
• National Domestic Violence Hotline

Additional Resources

For Everyone

• How Right Now — Finding What Helps
• Coping with a Disaster or Traumatic Event
• General Public: Care for Yourself 
• Young Adults: Care for Yourself 
• Older Adults: Care for Yourself 
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: Mental Health & COVID-19
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Information & Resources for COVID-19

For Families and Children

• Helping Children Cope during the Pandemic
• Helping Children Cope with Emergencies
• Coping After a Disaster 
• Teen Depression 
• Parents: Care for Yourself 
• Family Caregivers: Care for Yourself 
• Students: Care for Yourself 

For Healthcare Workers and First Responders

• Healthcare Personnel and First Responders: How to Cope with Stress and Build Resilience During the COVID-19 Pandemic
• Emergency Responders: Tips for Taking Care of Yourself
• First Responders: Care for Yourself 
• Clinicians: Care for Yourself 
• Maryland Behavioral Health Provider Information

For Other Workers

• Employees: How to Cope with Job Stress and Build Resilience During the COVID-19 Pandemic
• Working Adults: Care for Yourself 
• Critical Workers: Care for Yourself 
• Teachers: Encourage Your Students to Care for Themselves

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