Lorain County’s COVID Care team is taking action! These teams are dispatching across the nation to help neighborhoods recover from the social and emotional health challenges of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Our team of local familiar faces offers community-based outreach and education to relieve stress, especially if those stresses are or may become health concerns.

 

Officially known as a Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program or CCP, the local COVID Care team has trained, knowledgeable, friendly Care Counselors ready to connect you to resources that will help you and your family stay resilient. Care Counselors are Lorain County residents from every walk of life, here for any of our Lorain County  neighbors!

 

Download these tips on managing stress during the pandemic | En español

If feelings of stress, worry, or anger last 2 weeks or more and get in the way of daily functioning; if coping in unhealthy ways, like eating, sleeping or drinking too much, or relying on drugs, call your COVID Care Counselor for advice and connections to help.

 

OTHER SIGNS:

 

SOCIAL WITHDRAWAL

• Sitting and doing nothing for long periods of time
• Losing friends, unusual self-centeredness
• Dropping out of previously enjoyed activities
• Declining academic, work or athletic performance

 

IRREGULAR EXPRESSION OF FEELINGS

• Hostility from one who is usually pleasant and friendly
• Indifference to situations, even highly important ones
• Inability to express joy
• Laughter at inappropriate times or for no reason

 

CHANGES IN BEHAVIOR

• Hyperactivity, inactivity, or alternating between the two
• Lack of personal hygiene
• Noticeable and rapid weight loss or gain
• Involvement in automobile accidents
• Drug and alcohol abuse
• Forgetfulness and loss of personal possessions
• Moving out of home to live on the street
• Bizarre behavior, e.g. skipping, staring, grimacing
• Unusual sensitivity to noises, light, clothing

 

MOOD DISTURBANCE

• Deep sadness unrelated to recent events
• Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
• Expressions of hopelessness
• Excessive fatigue, or an inability to fall asleep
• Pessimism
• Thinking or talking about suicide (call 1-800-888-6161)

 

PHYSICAL SIGNS OF OVERDOSE

• Slow breathing or no breathing
• Vomiting
• Face is pale and clammy
• Blue lips
• Slow, erratic or no pulse
• Snoring or gurgling noises while asleep
• No response when you yell the person’s name or rub the middle of their chest with your knuckles

An overdose is a medical emergency and 911 should be called immediately.

Some information is from “Navigating a mental health crisis: A NAMI resource guide for those experiencing a mental health emergency.”