Your friends at KVC Health Systems are here to support you through the COVID-19 health crisis. We acknowledge the discomfort and anxiety these times of uncertainty can create. We also know there are actions we can take to better understand and manage those feelings while we are coping during the coronavirus outbreak. Everyone may be experiencing a bit of anxiety, a little fear and, at times, a lot of frustration– but we’re all trying to make the best of it.

To provide you with timely support, valuable tips and important resources, we will be launching a new biweekly series, Coping During COVID-19. This series will be led by KVC’s Chief Clinical Officer, Chad E. Anderson. Each Monday and Thursday we will post an article and short video from Chad on our blog. You’ll also be able to find the videos on our Facebook page, YouTube channel and Instagram feed.

Below is an overview of the topics we will be covering in the upcoming weeks. We’ve included links to important resources and supporting materials for any of you who are looking for this information today.

3/30: Looking Ahead in Times of Uncertainty: One of the biggest challenges we’re facing with the coronavirus outbreak is lack of finality. How can we “plan” when the future is unknown? Watch Chad’s video and learn a simple exercise to help you manage your anxiety here. Learn more about dealing with the unknown here.

4/2: How To Create Your Own Coping Toolkit: Learn simple coping skills and how mindfulness can make a difference for you and your family. Watch the video and learn more here. Find tips on how to recognize and regulate your emotions here.

4/6: How You and Your Child Build Resilience During COVID-19: Chad will discuss observing your child’s behavior during this pandemic. How can we help teens and children cope? Watch our video and read more here. This helpful article provides tips for how to talk to your children about COVID-19. Our partner, Sesame Street in Communities, also has additional ideas on how to address it with young children here.

4/9: Staying Engaged While Working Remotely: It’s vital to remain emotionally engaged, even when we are physically distant at work. It’s easier said than done with the added challenge of children being home from school and other distractions as we are coping with COVID-19. Watch the video and find our tips here. Gallup, a trusted partner of ours, also has excellent resources.

4/13: Knowing When You Need Help: We’re all feeling stress from the current situation. How can we tell when we or our loved ones may need additional mental health support? Learn how to spot the signs of a mental health crisis here. Reach out to your employer to find out if they have an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and what benefits it can provide for you. You can find a psychologist in your area by using APA’s Psychologist Locator service. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. If you are struggling and need immediate help, you can call The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

4/16: Coping Through Kindness: Research shows that being kind to others can increase our happiness and provide positive health benefits. Learn about the science of kindness and how it can positively affect you and your loved ones during this pandemic. Learn how random acts of kindness can be good for you.

4/20: Optimism and Positivity During a Pandemic: Learn why your mindset matters and how to position yourself for success during this time of uncertainty. See Chad’s video and learn our 10 tips here. Read about the many benefits of optimism here.

4/23: Media Exposure & Mental Health: How can we stay informed without feeling completely overwhelmed? We need the information to keep our families safe, but it’s often easy to consume too much media. When much of the news isn’t good news, it can be detrimental to your mental health. Watch our video and learn more here. The APA offers helpful guidance on how to maintain perspective during the deluge of COVID-19 coverage here. Safeguard your teens with these helpful tips.

Please feel free to contact us via email if there is a topic you’d like us to address in our Coping During COVID-19 series that isn’t listed yet. You can also follow us on Facebook or Instagram for more updates and information. We’re here for you. For as long as we are apart, we are all in this together.