“If I had one message it would be, you’re not alone,” Centerville psychologist on World Mental Health Day

As the World Health Organization battles a pandemic, it is encouraging people to take care of their mental health.

Saturday, October 10th 2020 is World Mental Health Day.

“I do think this pandemic has been hard on our mental health,” Dr. Meredith Glick Brinegar, a Centerville psychologist said.

She explained, people are dealing with added anxiety right now because of the pandemic.

“It’s some of those factors related to how long lasting this is and how we still don’t have a clear end date. We still don’t have a vaccine. We still don’t have clear winners for treatment,” Dr. Glick Brinegar said. “I think some of those are leaving the uncertainty and affects our ability to predict and to feel in control of the situation.”

She added, the election is not helping.

“I think maybe people on either side are hanging their hat on the outcome of this election, and it feels maybe higher stakes than it normally is,” Dr. Glick Brinegar said.

To handle the uncertainty, people should focus on the things they can control. This includes having a set schedule, eating, sleeping, and exercising.

“Just some of those things that we know, most people know, are good for us. But try to be more mindful of that,” Dr. Glick Brinegar said.

She said, people should not be afraid to get professional help, which might start with talking to their doctor.

“We know that for most mental health disorders, talk therapy, medication, or the combination of the two are shown to be pretty effective,” Dr. Glick Brinegar said.

At this time, it is also important to think about others who may be feeling isolated.

“There’s also some stigma about mental health, and so people don’t talk about it as much, or they may think it’s connected to a moral failing, or a weakness, and so it doesn’t get supported in the same way as say somebody who gets diagnosed with cancer does,” Dr. Glick Brinegar said.

She stressed the importance of reaching out, checking in, and connecting with people.

Dr. Glick Brinegar explained, worldwide as many as a billion people struggle with some sort of mental health.

“If I had one message it would be, you’re not alone,” Dr. Glick Brinegar said.

Dr. Glick Brinegar also said a lot of mental health disorders are chronic, so getting help will not be a quick fix. She said to follow-up with people who have a history of mental illness.

Cox Media Group