Oh COVID-19, I am so tired of you. Sadly, we are not done yet. The battle continues and we need to find strength to endure. Living through this major historical event is taking all the positive coping skills we have ever learned. We are needing to teach ourselves and our children how to stay the course so we can remain mentally well.

At the end of August, Northern Gateway Public Schools, with Alberta Health Services and the Mental Health Capacity Building Team, offered all NGPS staff an information session termed We Are ALL In This Together. It highlighted strategies necessary to support each other while supporting students. 

That phrase brings to mind a poem by Damien Barr about weathering storms. The analogy depicts that though we are in the same storm, we are each in a different boat. Some are on super-yachts. Some have just one oar, and so on. I think of this illustration often as I work with each school, supporting students with varying circumstances and levels of resilience. Some are home schooling, some are online/at home, others are face-to-face. Some students and families are immune compromised, others are struggling with job loss, poverty, addictions and neglect. Some are thriving academically while others are struggling mentally. Some are directly impacted by COVID-19. Others don't know anyone who has tested positive. Regardless of the situation, we all need to survive the storm together.

As COVID-19 carries on and we become more weary, it is important that we can recognize when mental distress becomes mental illness, when we need self care and when we need professional help.

MENTAL DISTRESS vs MENTAL ILLNESS (click to visit teenmentalhealth.org)

Mental Distress: symptoms do not last long; normal reactions to an abnormal situation (like a pandemic!)

Mental Illness: symptoms present for 1-3 months. Impacts day-to-day functioning.

WHO IS MOST AT RISK?

Indigenous people, LGBTQ2S+, older adults, those living in poverty, those with chronic health conditions, previous mental illness, persons with disabilities, or those with a restricted income.

RED FLAGS

Anxiety is contagious… and so is calm.

HOW TO HELP?

The Five Essential Elements I learned in Psychological First Aid is a great place to start: 

1. Promote Safety: Wearing masks, floor signage, handwashing for example reassures our physical safety and something as simple as providing accurate information fosters psychological safety. . 
2. Promote Calm: feeling anxious is normal. Practice controlled breathing, mindfulness and meditation to remain calm.
3. Promote Self and Community Efficacy: carry on regular activities as much as possible. Look for ways to connect with the community. It boosts our confidence that our community can recover.
4. Promote Connectedness: get creative in how to connect with others such as online concerts, physically distanced walks or outdoor visits.
5. Instill Hope: envisioning a realistic and “normal” future can inspire hope and optimism.

To be healthy and successful we need to feel connected, safe and in control.

Self care means different things to different people, but mostly, it is about cultivating a compassionate inner voice.

We are all in this COVID-19 storm together. Regardless of the boat we are in, we need to believe that we will soon find safe ground. Each of us is seeking to survive this worldwide crisis as unscathed as possible. Let us navigate our route with respect, empathy, courage and responsibility. Throw a lifeline to the ones who are struggling, accept a lifeline if someone reaches out. We are ALL in this together.

For Mental Health Support  Mental Health Help Line 1-877-303-2642, Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868.

This article was submitted by Tammy Charko, BA, BSW, RSW, Student Support Facilitator at Northern Gateway Public Schools. Tammy advocates for students and parents, providing a link to other supports within the community. Tammy has been a social worker for over 20 years and is a mother to 4 children, 3 of whom are teenagers.