Crisis lines see increase in calls as stress from COVID-19 builds in homes
Mental health experts encourage people to reach out for support
Mental health experts encourage people to reach out for support
Mental health experts encourage people to reach out for support
With stay-at-home orders in place for more than a month now, crisis lines are seeing an increase in calls. Some relationships are feeling the strain as people spend so much time together.
Mental health experts encourage people to reach out for support because the stress we're feeling now won't just go away.
There are layers of stress building in many households right now. Many have lost their jobs. Those working from home might feel isolated from their normal support systems. Parents are suddenly in charge of schooling. The stress on these relationships won't disappear when stay-at-home orders are lifted.
"There is still that level of trauma that's set in from what we've experienced. We have to admit we're all going through this traumatic experience together. It changes the way you think the fear that you have when you're pumping gas in your car or you see someone with or without a mask and those thoughts will be with us here on out," said Jessica Murphy, of Johnson County Mental Health.
Murphy supervises co-responders who go along on 911 crisis calls. In the past week, she's seen more emergency calls involving family situations.
Murphy said that those who feel they are in danger, should call 911. But she said don't be afraid to call for help before it gets to that point. Whether it's talking to a friend, calling a crisis line or finding a support group to help get you through this.
"We're all going to have to figure out how we can adjust together and work on those thoughts collectively, because they're there and they're not going to go away just because a stay at home order has shifted," Murphy said.
She also encouraged people to check on others who might be struggling. Experts said that if there is a drastic change in behavior or drop off in communication, reach out to those people and let them know there is help.
The National Suicide Prevention hotline is 800-273-8255. The Johnson County Mental Health crisis line is 913-268-0156 or text "home" to 741-741.