How to create a behavioral health wellness plan
By MultiCare Health System
News and information about COVID-19 can be stressful and overwhelming, and the effects can be amplified for people living with behavioral health illness. Mental Health America offers some tips to help anyone who may currently be living with behavioral health illness or caring for someone who is.
For individuals:
It’s understandable to feel worried during an infectious disease outbreak. For people living with mental health conditions, it’s important to know when these natural emotions are becoming anxiety.
Creating a wellness plan can help you manage and prepare for increased anxiety before it hits. Your plan could include information like:
- How much medication you normally need, so that you can request enough refills to have on hand while practicing social distancing.
- Ways to stay in contact with friends and family, such as texting, video chat and social media. Read our tips for staying connected while social distancing.
- A list of activities you typically enjoy that can be incorporated into your day-to-day routine, to help maintain a sense of normalcy. For example, if you go to the gym or attend fitness classes regularly, don’t break the habit — just try exercising at home instead.
- Other contacts outside of friends and family who can be easily reached if you need help. Resources like the Crisis Text Line are free and available 24/7.
Learn more about how to prepare for your mental health wellness during the COVID-19 outbreak.
For caregivers:
If you provide care for someone with behavioral health illness, you should continue to be educated not only on how to help the person you care for, but yourself too.
Do this by:
- Getting enough sleep
- Creating healthy eating habits
- Exercising
- Taking time for yourself
Also remember that it’s okay to seek professional help for yourself, if needed. A mental health screening from Mental Health America is available online, to help determine whether you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition.
Learn more about what you can do to stay well while caring for a person with behavioral health illness.
If you’d like to support the greatest needs of Navos, Greater Lakes Mental Healthcare or MultiCare Behavioral Health programs during this time, please make a donation.
If you are experiencing a behavioral health crisis, please look to these local and national resources for help.
Washington State Health Care Authority offers crisis lines that are specific to the county in which you live.
Toll-Free: 1-800-662-HELP (24/7/365 Treatment Referral Information Service in English and español)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Toll-Free: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
Toll-Free (español): 1-888-628-9454 TTY: 1-800-799-4TTY (1-800-799-4889)
Ayuda En Español
Crisis Text Line
Text CONNECT to 741741 from anywhere in the USA, anytime, about any type of crisis
