Revised March 24th, 2020
As the situation with COVID-19 continues to develop, we wanted to reach out and assure you that the health, safety and wellbeing of our patients and employees is of the utmost importance to us. To that end, we are following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) direction and will continue to monitor the
situation closely.
Throughout our locations, we have added thorough sanitizing measures to help keep everyone safe. We encourage everyone to take standard precautions recommended by the CDC, including frequent hand washing, covering your coughs or sneezes with a tissue (or your elbow if a tissue is not available, do not cover with your hands), and avoiding touching of eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
At this time, all medication management and counseling appointments are proceeding as scheduled, via secure video-conferencing (Doxy.me). Patients needing medication injections may come to the office, after being screened at the door (using CDC Screening guidelines). If a patient is unable to enter the building for their injection, the provider will determine whether oral medications are an appropriate substitute.
Services that are unable to be provided remotely (TMS and some aspects of psychological testing) will be postponed until the threat of contamination has passed and the California Stay Home Order is lifted.
Strategies for managing anxieties during this time
It’s important to note that we are not helpless in light of current news events. We can always choose our response. If you are struggling, here are some things you can do to take care of your mental health in the face of uncertainty:
Separate what is in your control from what is not. There are things you can do, and it’s helpful to focus on those. Wash your hands. Remind others to wash theirs. Take your vitamins. Limit your consumption of news (Do you really need to know what is happening on a cruise ship you aren’t on?).
Do what helps you feel a sense of safety. This will be different for everyone, and it’s important not to compare yourself to others. It’s ok if you’ve decided that what makes you feel safe is to limit attendance of large social events, but it’s important to self-reflect whether you are making the decision to isolate yourself due to legitimate health concerns or due to feelings of anxiety or depression. Focus on the facts that are present in your area of residence.
Get outside in nature–even if you are avoiding crowds. Exercise, fresh air, and sunlight (vitamin D) are essential for both your physical and mental health.
Challenge yourself to stay in the present. Perhaps your worry is compounding. Engaging in mindfulness activities is one
way to help stay grounded when things feel beyond your control. Notice the sights, sounds, tastes and other sensory experiences in your immediate moment and name them. When you find yourself worrying about something that hasn’t happened yet, gently bring yourself back to the present moment.
Stay connected and reach out if you need more support. Talk to trusted friends about what you are feeling. If you are feeling particularly anxious or if you are struggling with your mental health, it’s ok to reach out to a mental health professional for support. You don’t have to be alone with your worry and it can be comforting to share what you are experiencing with those trained to help.
We are in this together, help is always available. If you’re feeling alone and struggling, you can also reach out to The Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741 or National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK.
