Mental health has been a hot topic, cultivating much attention from celebrities and national organizations. Our country has examples in the news of school shootings, parental homicide, sudden and unexpected suicide, and more. For decades, these subjects have comprised conversations that have traditionally been swept under the rug and kept behind closed doors. In the same way that Oprah Winfrey referred to the MeToo Movement in her Golden Globes speech, “Time is up”. The time is up for being silent about mental health and it is time to speak up and speak out.
At the age of ten, I was diagnosed with General Anxiety Disorder after the death of my grandfather, who was under hospice care in my home. I did not realize the impact of being a part of that dying experience, along with other insecurities and fears from my youth, had brought on me. For 12 years I struggled with panic attacks, sometimes at the most unexpected and inconvenient times. In my younger years I was overtly shy and socially uncomfortable. Even presently, I wake every morning, no matter how good or bad the day, with anxiety and nervousness that I have only learned to control by my faith. I am thankful to say that I have overcome more obstacles than anyone could imagine. Instead of being a sheepish child, I can now stand in front of thousands of people and speak publicly about my daily journey, and I have been able to push aside the fears that would totally defeat me.
Martin Luther King once said, “Every generation is beckoned anew.” So it is that I find myself as an advocate for the Coronavirus that has gripped the United States and positioned us as number one in world mortality rate and is subsequently impacting our lives from a mental health stance. From Washington State to the Empire State, we struggle with the various editions of “shelter in place” orders, under which we now seek survival. Having rendered a year of service as the official advocate honoree of Families as Allies, I am grateful for the public platform this designation affords me to help our nation.
I listened intently to the daily press briefing by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, as he announced the mental health help line (800-985-5990) and how important it is to pay attention to our mental health during this crisis. Of all people, he should know. In addition to taking the lead for governors throughout the land, his own brother, Chris Cuomo, anchor for CNN, was until recently quarantined in the basement of his home, suffering from the impact of the virus. Add presidential hopeful Elizabeth Warren ‘s brother to the list of victims; add the death of jazz legend Ellis Marsalis, father of Wynton Marsalis, an American virtuoso trumpeter, and you begin to get a picture of a disease that does not respect class, race, geography or political divisions.
Mental Health is further challenged because our grieving process has been suspended. Victims succumb without family present. Nurses struggle to use I-Pads and technology to share a family’s final moments with a loved one and/or to administer last rites. Alas, there cannot even be partners in the delivery room or funerals because of new social distancing norms. It’s a lot.
In an effort to do my part to help us cope, I have been busy as your ambassador. I have taken doughnuts to our Healthcare Heroes on the front lines. I read stories at the local YMCA as part of a babysitting venture for the children of healthcare workers still on the frontlines. I have provided online messaging for those deemed essential workers who cannot afford to or have no say in whether or not they get to stay home during these perilous times.
I still hold as my mantra, “It is ok to not be ok.” Ok to cry. Ok to grieve. Ok to just sit and think, as opposed to resolving to solve the problems of the world, repaint your house and home-school your kids all in one fell swoop.
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves presented the picture of calm for our state on a recent stint on national television. We will survive this but must plan, organize and take into account the inability of some of us to weather the storm. As Cuomo says of the Color of COVID, “We must reopen but we must reimagine.” I agree.
Don’t worry about the vanishing meat supply. This is an opportunity to make healthy food choices. Don’t dwell on the notion that you are barred from work. Treasure the time you have to spend with family. While you may think it is the end of the world, notice the ozone layer healing itself, absent the daily grind of 9-5 traffic. Do what you can to focus on those things that you can change.
During our recent Mental Health Awareness Day at the Mississippi Capital, I shared a simple recipe for staying sound and surviving the challenges of COVID-19. My personal healthcare hero, who doubles as my mom, discovered these tips, originally published by Nurse.org:
1. Take a break from COVID-19 by not watching the news or social media.
2. Video chat with friends and family.
3. Get outdoors. Physical activity helps with anxiety and depression.
I am a proud Petal Walmart employee. In between my opportunities to work as a mental health awareness advocate, I stock shelves to keep you supplied with food and that “ever-elusive toilet tissue!” Whether it's Blue Ivy (Beyonce and Jay Z's daughter) demonstrating proper handwashing technique on social media; Mississippi’s Musical Ambassador Vasti Jackson composing a tribute song, “Healing Angel,” for local healthcare heroes; Tyler Perry paying for groceries for senior citizens; or just plain old Katelyn Brown, one Mississippian doing her part, know that it is ok – to not be ok. We will survive. #staysafestaysound
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Katelyn Brown is a native of Richton is a physical therapy student at Pearl River Community College and will represent the Presley Heights Community of Tupelo in the Miss Mississippi Competition in Vicksburg this July.