Some people have decided that life is more or less back to normal, while for others, it's a difficult-to-navigate in-between stage. We aren't locked down at home anymore, thankfully, but for many families, the virus is still making life complicated.
It can be:
- Exhausting - keeping up with the ever-changing pandemic situation, both at home and wherever you have friends and family you care about.
- Confusing - figuring out how to live safely but somewhat normally, and how to approach social, work, school, shopping, travel, recreation, and many other situations.
- Frustrating - when you don't agree with federal, state, or local approaches to pandemic management. Or the expectations of your employer or your local school district. Or the choices of family members and friends.
If you or a family member are feeling stressed and anxious, we get it.
The Bougainvilla House is here to support you with resources for dealing with behavioral health challenges during this continuing time of uncertainty. Telehealth and in-person appointments are available. Please call 954-764-7337 to schedule your appointment now. Below, you'll find a video library offering ways to handle anxiety, details about our upcoming virtual events, recommended resources, and FAQs.
1) Stay Informed.
Stay aware of your community's specific pandemic status, including the infection rate, risk of breakthrough infections, and hospitalizations due to the coronavirus. Check the latest guidance from the CDC and your local public health officials. Make sure you know if your community is considered a high transmission area so you can act accordingly.
2) Be respectful.
Every community's situation is different, and every individual has different needs. The person you see wearing a mask may be concerned about breakthrough infections, or want to protect a child who can't be vaccinated yet, or a family member who is high risk. Many people are choosing to wear masks for the foreseeable future, so it is important to be patient and respectful of others, and to feel okay about it if that's what you and your family choose to do as well. Likewise, every business you visit or event you attend may have different expectations about mask-wearing, so continue to respect any posted guidelines and the instructions of staff members.
3) Recognize your comfort level.
Ask yourself questions that help you make decisions and stay in touch with your emotions. Do I feel safe not wearing a mask at the grocery store? At church? In the office? Do I feel safe not wearing a mask at the gym? Am I comfortable going maskless to a restaurant, into the mall, the movie theater, or other crowded places? Take your comfort level into consideration when it comes to making pandemic-related decisions.
4) Take it at your own pace.
If you feel it is safe to start taking part in more activities, take it slow. It's okay to return to pre-pandemic "busy-ness" at your own pace. Take small steps like meeting a friend outside or getting together with people who are also vaccinated, before diving into events like a wedding, large party, or concert.
5) Recognize and break the habit of avoidance.
Avoidance and anxiety tend to go hand in hand. When you avoid the things that make you anxious, it may feel like the easiest choice in the short term but will just lead to more anxiety in the long term. Although this might be uncomfortable at first, psychologists suggest participating in social situations rather than avoiding them. Try to catch yourself deciding to avoid interactions even when you aren't being forced to do so by pandemic-related restrictions. Make plans to see a friend, under conditions where you both feel comfortable.
Video Library
Coping with continuing pandemic anxiety can be difficult, especially when dealing with friends and family members who have decided it's time to go back to normal living.
Does your child or teen have issues with attending school? Are they involved in several school or extra-curricular activities that have put added pressure on them? Or maybe they don't see the point in continuing with school during the COVID-19 pandemic? Your child or teen could be avoiding school to escape the pressures they face on an everyday basis and during this troubling time. Hara Wachholder, LMHC provides you with answers to how to address your child or teen refusing school.
It truly takes a village to raise a child. If a teacher or guidance counselor is coming to you with concerns about your child's behavioral or mental health, talk about those concerns with a licensed professional for clarity and a diagnosis. Don't rely on websites like WebMD to provide an accurate diagnosis for your child or teen.
Anxiety is based on the fear of what will happen or what could happen in the future. It manifests through various forms of emotions, including anger, irritability, depression, and more. Breathing techniques, journaling, and meditation can help your child, adolescent, or young adult deal with their anxiety issues. Hara Wachholder, LMHC and William Barney, RMHCI discuss how to help stay in the moment and not become overanxious.
The coronavirus has caused many of us to self-quarantine and isolate ourselves from our normal day-to-day routines. Hara Wachholder, LMHC and William Barney, RMHCI discuss the proper steps to learn the facts and how to provide the proper care during isolation and natural disasters.
Cyber Bullying has increased as the use of social media has increased. Make sure you keep open communication with your child and check in on their behavioral and mental health.
With everything that children and teens have going on these days, it's easy for them to become overwhelmed. Make sure that you help your child establish good priorities and make sure that they aren't overburdened.
Kindness is still one of the most important values that you can teach your children. Teaching your children to be tolerant is the first step to teaching them acceptance. Acceptance of other people, cultures, and lifestyles is what builds a strong community.
Social media was intended to connect people, but lately, it's been allowing people to disconnect completely from the real world and the life we lead.
Every child wants to be loved, but when they're dealing with an overprotective or an over-indulgent parent, it can cause more harm than good. Children need to be allowed to make their own mistakes to become a competent adult.
Vaping isn't new, but it's become very popular recently among children and teens. Vaping doesn't discriminate and can affect anyone in all walks of life and can cause chest problems, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, irritability, and difficulty focusing in school.
Therapists employed at The Bougainvilla House are all licensed and certified HIPPA-compliant for telehealth services.
We'll be hosting webinars every Wednesday to help you with learning how to use mindfulness to stay in the present and manage anxiety.
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ABOUT THE BOUGAINVILLA HOUSE
The Bougainvilla House exists to support children, adolescents, and young adults who are struggling with behavioral health and substance use issues through counseling, therapy and individualized treatment in a comfortable, home-like environment.
Through counseling, therapy, and education, we aim to create a community environment where children through young adulthood are supported in developing positive relationships and behavioral patterns.
Our goal is to nurture a stigma-free atmosphere that empowers our youth with the essential coping skills that will help them develop emotionally as mature, independent adults.