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1. Are you feeling stressed?
2. Are you overwhelmed? 
3. Are anxiety and fear pursuing you like a chase scene in a cheesy movie? 
4. Are you having nightmares, sleeping too much or too little? 
5. Are you finding yourself with very low energy? 
6. Are you gaining or losing weight?  
7. Are you feeling irritable, angry, frustrated, and/or lonely?

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Could this be because of COVID-19? If so... we invite you to read more

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If not, don’t worry!

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    Do you think you have a mental illness? Are you having any of the emotions mentioned above that began before the pandemic? The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) lists a host of symptoms suggesting a mental health illness is present. It includes the above-mentioned symptoms and also: 

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8. An inability to complete tasks you could in the past.

9. Having hallucinations or delusions without the use of consciousness-altering substances.

10. Thinking about suicide.

11. Having feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.

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    If you have experienced any of the symptoms mentioned above please know that help is available.

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    You can, for example, dial 211 (Former Switchboard of Miami, now Jewish Community Services) for the hotline. They will listen to you, you can call anonymously, give a fake name, and they will even refer you to available community resources if needed.

 

    If you prefer to speak to a professional, there are several mental health practitioners in our community that can help. Research their websites, what they offer, and if you have insurance, call them for a referral.

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    Psychology Today is also a good resource for therapeutic help.

 

    At the College level, you can speak to an advisor, professor you trust, or even the Student Dean and reach out for help. We have an ACCESS department which will refer you to our Single Stop therapist at Padrón and the psychology club will be having peer-to-peer talks…not counseling, but listening. Also, meditation does wonders and laughter creates those feel-good hormones that are pleasurable. Therefore, turn to Netflix often and binge on funny movies.

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    PLEASE REMEMBER 

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    You are not alone in this. Just know that the only thing you have control over is you. Your thoughts, your beliefs, your attitude, your actions, and how you react to others is what you control---everything else is outside of your control. And what you can’t control, please learn to let it go as thinking and obsessing about things we can’t control leads to anxiety, stress, anger, and all of the above-mentioned symptoms highlighted in the beginning of this article. It is better to have grit (passion and perseverance) and resiliency in these times. Please stay safe, and do things you have control over—including asking for help when you need it. Please be well, indulge in working on things you can do at home that you enjoy, and be safe.