Emotional Support

Donna Chacko, a St. Mark Catholic Church Health Ministry leader and a retired physician, is offering a faith-based stress reduction workshop online, Three Keys to Less Stress During the COVID-19 Crisis.  It is free and open to all. 

https://www.serenityandhealth.com/covid19guide

For more information contact Donna Chacko [email protected].

If you are experiencing high levels of anxiety during these uncertain times, that is normal. Your body sends you information to alert you whenever it senses a threat. Know that you are processing your anxiety in healthy ways when you’re able to stay relaxed and make rational decisions without feeling overwhelmed or withdrawing. Anxiety can push us to take care of ourselves, but too much anxiety can become problematic. Below are some resources to help you manage your anxiety and stress levels. We’ve also included some information about how to determine when it might be time to ask a counselor for help.

Create a routine.​
Wake up and go to bed at the same time every day. If you’re working from home, establish a start time and an end time. This can help create a sense of normalcy and predictability.

Stay connected to others.​
Use technology to stay connected to friends, family, and co-workers by calling, texting, emailing, and videoing with one another. Connect with people who will be present, compassionate, and good listeners.

Stay connected to your community.​ 
Actively seek ways to stay plugged in. Use technology to watch church services online. Support local businesses by buying gift cards for a later date or buying lunch for those on the front lines. Volunteer your time to help your local schools or nonprofits distribute food and essentials to your community.

Take care of your body.​ 
Do things that help you feel better and relieve stress. Eat healthy foods, get plenty of rest, practice stretching and breathing exercises, and move your body daily (e.g., yoga, walking, dancing).

Access reliable media resources in small doses.​ 
Stay informed, but limit the amount of time you check the news to once or twice a day to prevent yourself from getting overwhelmed.

Limit addictive behaviors.​
Distracting yourself and finding ways to seek relief from what’s going on around you is normal. However, pay attention to how much time you’re spending on television and social media. Limit your caffeine and alcohol intake.

Often we are able to navigate life’s challenges by ourselves or with help from family and friends. However, there are times when we need to get help from a doctor or counselor. Here are a few indicators that it might be time to seek professional help:

• Struggle is preventing you from functioning in a healthy way or is significantly impacting your quality of life.
• It’s difficult to resolve an issue through your own ways of coping.
• Your current coping mechanisms (e.g., overuse of alcohol or drugs) are potentially destructive.
• You are overwhelmed to the point where negative emotions are dominating the way you feel.
• You are feeling hopeless and/or losing interest in things that used to bring you joy.
• Negative thoughts are preventing you from thinking clearly and making healthy decisions.
• You’re experiencing heightened social conflict or a desire for increased social withdrawal that is difficult to control.

Note that thoughts of self-harm or the desire to harm others require immediate attention, including telling family and friends that care about you and contacting a suicide prevention center and/or other resources listed below. 

If you feel like you are in immediate danger or are a danger to others, go to a behavioral health hospital (options below) for a free assessment or seek medical attention by dialing 911.

If you decide to talk with a counselor, we recommend The Caritas Counseling Center which is part of the St. Luke Institute.

For those of you with existing emotional health conditions: Please be aware of your symptoms, and keep in touch with your mental health professionals to stay on track.

Here are some other counseling resources:

• Youth & Family Services (City of Bowie) at 301-809-3033
• Adam's House (for PG County residents transitioning from incarceration) at 301-817-1900
• Bowie Crofton Pregnancy Clinic or call 301-262-1330
• The Gabriel Network or call 301-637-3223 or text 301-637-3223
• Financial Counseling (Bowie Financial Counseling Service) at 301-262-9116
• Financial Peace University at 1-877-378-2667
• Divorce Care (Grace Baptist Church) at 301-262-1767

Anxiety

• 5 Ways to Manage COVID-19 Anxiety
• Two Types of Anxiety and How to Respond
• Identifying and Coping with Anxiety
• Anxiety Questionnaire from Anxiety and Depression Association of America

Behavioral Health Online Screening

• Summit Counseling Center (Free Anonymous Online Screening)

Depression

• How to Tell If You're Depressed
• Depression and Suicide Panel
• The Depression Test and Bipolar Test
• Depression Questionnaire from Anxiety and Depression Association of America

Domestic Violence Hotline

• National Domestic Violence Hotline​ or 1-800-799-7233

Kids and Parenting

• Parenting During a Pandemic — How to Talk to Your Kids About a Crisis

Loneliness

• The Gift of Loneliness

Self-Care

• A Survival Guide to Self-Care: How to Thrive During Uncertainty

Stress and Healthy Coping

• How to Be Okay in Stressful Times
• Managing Stress
• Stress and Coping

Suicide Prevention

• Suicide Prevention Hotline​ or 1-800-273-8255
• Crisis Text Line​ or text HOME to 741741
• Maryland's Helpline or call 211 and select option 1, or text your zip code to 898-211

Relationship Difficulty — Stress on Relationships

• Choose Love in Difficult Times

• Alcoholic Anonymous at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, call 301-262-0704
• Food Addicts Anonymous at Cresthill Baptist Church, call 301-262-4141
• 12-Step Program at Trinity Lutheran Church, call 301-262-5475
• Smart Recovery at Grace Lutheran Chruch, call 301-262-7625
• Overcomers Outreach at Grace Baptist Church, call 301-262-1767
• Road to Recovery at Village Baptist Churchm call 301-775 - 4034

• Are you a STUDENT and need help reporting bullying or other unhealthy activities at SCHOOL?  Text anonymously BOWIEMD to 71441 and a report will be sent immediately to your school for corrective action.

• contact St. Pius X Church or call 301-262-2141 to speak to our pastor, Fr. Mike Jones
• WeCareBowie.org or call 301-262-9116
• City of Bowie Community Services or call 301-262-6200
• For general social serivces, call Maryland Info & Referrals at 211 or Prince George's County Social Services at 301-909-7000