NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 23, 2020
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Susan Vitulli, Public Health Educator
218-725-5262, vitullis@stlouiscountymn.gov
Cheryl Bisping, Public Health Educator
218-471-7385, bispingc@stlouiscountymn.gov
St. Louis County Public Health and Human Services highlights mental health resources available to community
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to heightened levels of uncertainty and stress for many. This can lead to feeling overwhelmed, difficulty making decisions, insecurity, compassion fatigue, anxiety, depression and mental and physical stress. The St. Louis County Public Health Division, has compiled some free resources where people can find support and guidance on navigating the range of emotions they may experience.
One tool is to remember the acronym TIP, which highlights three skills people can use to decrease internal feelings of stress:
T is for temperature. When the heat of stress is overwhelming, cool off. There are many ways to do this whether by taking a cool shower, dip in a lake, or by covering your face in cool water. Exposing your face, especially around the eyes and nose, decreases your body’s stress response. The website nowmattersnow.org has a section on cold water that includes videos.
I is for intense exercise. Increasing oxygen flow in your body will help decrease stress. Exercise may be especially helpful for anyone feeling elevated anxiety due to stress. It may also be helpful, though can be difficult to initiate, when feeling sluggish or have “brain fog.” Any movement is helpful. To gauge intensity, you should be moving enough to notice an increase in breathing but still be able to carry on a conversation. Aim for 20 minutes or more. Exercising outdoors in green space can have added benefits to mood.
P is for paced breathing. You may have heard of “deep breathing’ exercises. Controlling one’s breath will help reduce the body’s fight or flight response. The key is to exhale for a count slightly longer than you inhale. For example, you might inhale for a 3 count, pause, and exhale for a 4 count, pause and repeat. Find a sequence that you are comfortable with and helps you relax. Visit Nowmattersnow.org and click the paced breathing section to learn more.
Additional Community Resources
There are many resources in our community to support mental health for self, family, in the workplace, and more. Stlouiscountymn.gov/covid19resources includes an extensive list of mental health resources and counseling options available. Three in particular worth highlighting include:
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LetsTalkMN.com – supports access to local mental health resources
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ThriveRange.org – free online therapy, coping skills, and crisis resources
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NorhtlandHealthyMinds.org -- Northland Healthy Minds is a collaborative of businesses, organizations and people in Northeastern Minnesota and Northwestern Wisconsin working together to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental illness. Check out their COVID-19 Employer Resources.
For anyone feeling overwhelmed by stress to the point they have plans or thoughts of hurting themself or others, are suddenly finding it difficult to complete normal daily activities due to stress or other symptoms, or have an increase or change in symptoms such as mood, anxiety or panic attacks, hallucinations, or delusions consider using one of the following resources:
- Crisis Text Line: Text MN to 741741
- 24 Hour Mental Health Resource Line: Northern St. Louis County, (218) 288-2100; Southern St. Louis County, (218) 623-1800
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-723-8255
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