A Message About COVID-19 (Coronavirus) from JLAP

The COVID-19 emergency requires everyone to protect themselves and others from the physical threat of contracting the Coronavirus. But we must also intentionally protect our emotional well-being during these difficult times.

Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Isolation and a natural “Fear of the Unknown” can impact our quality of life and reduce our ability to be resilient and hopeful. The emotional toll of this emergency is also especially challenging for those already managing mental health challenges.

JLAP’s services by phone and internet are 100% operational and will not be interrupted by this crisis. JLAP’s Licensed Professional Counselors and staff are all available by phone and internet to provide professional clinical mental health support and resources to anyone in need.

JLAP has developed this comprehensive webpage to provide suggestions and numerous links to valuable mental health information to support your well-being and mental health.

As always, all calls to JLAP are strictly confidential and privileged by law. As such, if JLAP can help, please do not hesitate to call us at (985) 778-0571 or email to JLAP@louisianajlap.com

SUPPORT GUIDE FOR COVID-19

Tips for managing your mental stability during this time of uncertainty:

• Take a media break. Prolonged exposure to the news can impact your mental health in a negative way. Turn the screens off and go for a walk around your neighborhood, weed the garden, read a book outside, etc. Get creative. Fresh air and sunlight can have a positive effect on mood.

• Take care of your body. Now is a great time to implement some of the healthy lifestyle changes you have been putting off. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water and eating your daily fruits and vegetables. When it is time to go back to office life, your healthy habits will follow you.

• Catch up on your hobbies. What hobbies have you been putting off because you did not feel there was enough time in the day? Today is the day to start again.

• Connect with others. Social distancing is not the same thing as social isolation. Be sure to check on your friends, family members and neighbors. Talk to people you trust about how this is affecting you. Use this time to re-connect with people you have not talked to in a while.

• Be thankful. This is a trying time to find the good, but research shows that having a positive attitude can actually improve your health and even drown out negative thoughts and anxious feelings. Find a gratitude partner and share with them one thing daily that you are grateful for during this unprecedented moment in our history.

For additional information on positive thinking and its impact on stress, follow this link.:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/positive-thinking/art-20043950

GENERAL HEALTH INFORMATION
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Coping During the Coronavirus Pandemic:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/managing-stress-anxiety.html

MENTAL HEALTH
Living With Mental Illness During COVID-19 Outbreak – Preparing for Your Wellness:
https://mhanational.org/living-mental-illness-during-covid-19-outbreak-preparing-your-wellness

ONLINE RECOVERY RESOURCES
In the Rooms:
https://www.intherooms.com/home/?fbclid=IwAR0jah6iT17ls-QFa_WQbz9d9I-bXv92Qgxt0RYOqlPyXhYVsrp2ngHKm-4

Online Intergroup – Alcoholics Anonymous:
http://aa-intergroup.org/directory.php

The Token Shop:
https://www.thetokenshop.com/Online_AA_Meetings

Al-Anon Phone Meetings:
https://al-anon.org/al-anon-meetings/electronic-meetings/#Phone_Meetings

Smart Recovery:
https://www.smartrecovery.org/smart-recovery-toolbox/smart-recovery-online/?fbclid=IwAR1WYJ_y_YKdYglurQ2r3L1MIaNAZ-ihdq6Lz6Mux-u8GGsTLDsdINUCWSk

National Association of Mental Illness (NAMI) Resources:
www.nami.org

COVID-19 Updated Guide:
https://www.nami.org/getattachment/Press-Media/Press-Releases/2020/COVID-19-and-Mental-Illness-NAMI-Releases-Importan/COVID-19-Updated-Guide-1.pdf?lang=en-US

Suicide Hotline:
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Free, confidential 24/7 support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for oneself and others.
Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK or 1-800-273-8255.

OTHER ONLINE SUPPORT COMMUNITIES
www.7cups.com
Online text chat with a trained listener for emotional support and counseling.

www.emotionsanonymous.org
An international fellowship of people who desire to have a better sense of emotional wellbeing.

www.supportgroupscentral.com
Virtual support groups on numerous mental health conditions.

https://support.therapytribe.com
Online peer support groups offering members facing mental health challenges and/or difficult family dynamics a safe place to connect. Support groups include anxiety, depression, marriage/family, OCD and teens.

https://online.supportgroups.com/
Website featuring 200+ online support groups

www.forlikeminds.com
Online mental health support network that allows for individuals to connect with others who are living with or supporting someone with mental health conditions, substance use disorders and stressful life events.

www.18percent.org
Offers a free, peer-to-peer online support community for those struggling with a wide range of mental health issues.

www.psychcentral.com
Offers online mental health resources, quizzes, news, an “Ask the Therapist” function and online support communities.

PARENTING
Parenting in the Time of COVID-19:
https://www.fontenellepsychology.com/new-blog-1/2020/3/14/parenting-in-the-time-of-covid-19?fbclid=IwAR2NxZgeYMLgWLk4Ct-A6zRetoMqTMFhUXpntDKShdb9YdeY2pzqBtxYfJQ

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

YouTube Fitness Videos
Take a YouTube Fitness Class from your living room. Here are a few to get you started:

Amazon Prime. Check out Amazon Prime for free access to a wide variety of fitness videos, including Zumba and 21-Day Transformation from GymRa. Just search for“fitness” and then filter by “Prime.”

NYT Fitness Guides. The NYT has several fitness guides that include short videos to guide you work out.

Yoga Streaming Services. Try a Yoga streaming service. Most offer free trials and have different types of Yoga available.

Exercise Workout Apps.
Try a workout app on your phone. Some are paid, but most have a free trial.

Exercise Programs
Most exercise Program Services are offering free trials for Covid-19 exercise plans. This is a great chance to try something new.

Your Local Gym/Studio. A lot of local gyms, yoga studios, etc. are offering online classes you can do from home. Make sure you check with them to see if your regular instructor is offering video classes.

RELAXATION

Phone Apps
Try a mediation or mindfulness app. Some are paid, but likely have a free trial.

Try Mediation
Learn how to Meditate with the NYT’s Guide to Mediation.

Yoga for Relaxation
Yoga practice can also provider relaxation. Check out the NYT’s Guide on How to Relax with Yoga and the Yoga ideas in Section 8 “Physical Activity
while at Home.”

SOCIAL DISTANCING
Tips for Social Distancing, Quarantine, and Isolation During an Infectious Disease Outbreak:
https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/tips-social-distancing-quarantine-isolation-031620.pdf

STRESS AND ANXIETY
Managing Stress and Anxiety:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/managing-stress-anxiety.html

10 Ways to Ease Your Coronavirus Anxiety:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/18/smarter-living/coronavirus-anxiety-tips.html

Coronavirus Anxiety? Here’s How to Keep It From Spiraling Out of Control:
https://www.sciencealert.com/here-s-how-to-keep-the-coronavirus-anxiety-at-bay

SOLACE (Support of Lawyers/Legal Personnel – All Concern Encouraged) is coordinated by the Louisiana State Bar Association/Louisiana Bar Foundation’s Community Action Committee. The sole purpose of the program is to allow the legal community to reach out in meaningful and compassionate ways to judges, lawyers, court personnel, paralegals, legal secretaries and their families who experience a sudden catastrophic loss.
https://www.lsba.org/Members/Solace.aspx