Mental Health & Social/Physical Distancing Information

What is Social Distancing?

Remaining out of congregate settings
Avoid mass gatherings and groups of people
Maintaining a phsical distance of six feet between non-family members
Behavioral practice
Staying at home and limiting travel is crucial to mitigation. Do not have people over for dinner, friends over for play dates, sleepovers, or other gatherings.

Self-quarantine and Isolation

These two techniques are utilized to restrict the movement of people to limit the transfer or spread of an infection because they are sick or came in contact with someone who is sick.

If you are told to self-quarantine or isolate, you MUST stay in your home.

Quick Tips to Stay Healthy

If you interact with others, do your best to maintain a 6-foot radius away from other people
Use proper hand hygiene before and after going out around other people. Wash your hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds. If you cannot wash your hands use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Disinfect and clean commonly used objects and surfaces e.g., doorknobs, remote controls, etc.
If you feel sick, stay home. Call your healthcare provider if you have symptoms like a cough, fever or difficulty breathing.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw it in the trash.

Stress and Coping

Union County Mental Health & Addiction Services

Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health

Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations
People who may respond more strongly to the stress of a crisis include

Older people and people with chronic diseases who are at higher risk for COVID-19
Children and teens
People who are helping with the response to COVID-19, like doctors and other health care providers, or first responders
People who have mental health conditions including problems with substance use

Stress during an infectious disease outbreak can include

Fear and worry about your own health and the health of your loved ones
Changes in sleep or eating patterns
Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
Worsening of chronic health problems
Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs
People with preexisting mental health conditions should continue with their treatment and be aware of new or worsening symptoms. For more information click on Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Ad- ministration (SAMHSA) Coping With Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks

Things you can do to support yourself

Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting.
Take care of your body. Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate. Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, and avoid alcohol and drugs.
Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy.
Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your con- cerns and how you are feeling.
Call your healthcare provider if stress gets in the way of your daily activities for several days in a row.

Reduce Stress in Yourself and Others

For Parents
• Not all children and teens respond to stress in the same way. Click for some common changes to

watch for and things you can do to support your child.

For Responders
• Responding to COVID-19 can take an emotional toll on you. Click for things you can do to reduce secondary traumatic stress (STS) reactions.

For people who have been released from quarantine

Being separated from others if a healthcare provider thinks you may have been exposed to COVID-19 can be stressful, even if you do not get sick. Everyone feels differently coming out of quarantine.
To talk with a mental health professional call the NJ Dept. of Human Services “warm line”: 877-294-4357.

Click on the CDC’s Manage Anxiety and Stress website for more resources

Socio-Emotional Learning & Mental Health Resources from Summit Board of Education

The NJ Department of Human Services operates a toll-free “warm line” which is a resource for people seeking mental health service. The warm line is available 24 hours and has language access; (877) 294-HELP (4357) NOTE: The “warm line” does not replace 911 and is not used to report emergencies

The Zones of Regulation at Home

Mental Health and Wellness Resources

Good Grief: 52 Feelings Reflection Journal

Good Grief: 35 Fun Things to do when ’Stuck’ at Home

Good Grief: Tips for Reducing Isolation

At-Home Activities by University of Miami-Nova Southeastern University

Westfield Regional Health Department: COVID-19 Managing Stress and Anxiety