May (when this story was researched and written) was Mental Health Awareness Month. For this part of the story Sun Day has turned to Scott Block, executive director of the McHenry County Mental Health Board, Jane Farmer, executive director of Turning Point, Phyllis Seyler, program manager of NAMI-McHenry County, and Dr. Melissa Katz, clinical director of Samaritan Counseling Center of the Northwest Suburbs.
The realities of COVID-19 have affected us on many fronts and are factors for mental health issues. For our loved ones in a nursing home, we wish we could see them face to face again as we had before COVID-19 made nursing home residents a vulnerable community. We’d like to get back to working every day. Being out of work is a tremendous contributor to financial stress and mental health concerns. One outdoor movie theater opened in McHenry to a huge parade of vehicles but that doesn’t solve the problems of almost no organized recreational activity under COVID-19. We’re trying to be creative with the activities of our children but the stress on both the children and their parents is growing. We want to shop for groceries without wearing a mask or congregate at our place of worship without facing the possibility of arrest. Though some of our political leaders aren’t ready to trust us fully, it’s suggested we stay connected whether talking by phone, chatting outside with neighbors, or joining online gatherings. We’re advised by the medical community to stay as active as we possibly can by finding time to exercise by bicycling, running, or walking, yet maintaining six feet of separation. We’re also warned to avoid alcohol or drugs.
While the approach into the mental health crisis has focused on individuals, the McHenry County Mental Health Board recognizes “the COVID-19 pandemic represents the greatest crisis to ever hit health and human service providers,” Scott Block said. Block, the executive director of the McHenry County Mental Health Board notes that many providers are overwhelmed based on a combination of lost revenue from cancelled fundraising events, reduced patient volume, and billable activity. “Providers have had to acquire personal protective equipment, alter service delivery methods for access to care, and increase staffing costs,” Block said. The McHenry County Mental Health Board has provided $276,000 in funding available to its network service providers. “It’s difficult to know where to begin to address the extraordinary stress, anxiety, and trauma that individuals and communities are currently facing and will continue experiencing. Now more than ever, it’s essential to look after our mental health, both for our own benefit and for those around us,” Block said.
From a recent meeting of the McHenry County Mental Health Board, Block showed the direction the board has taken in mental health resources during the COVID-19 crisis. A portion of the meeting examined the Recovery Support Community including NAMI-McHenry County (National Alliance on Mental Illness). NAMI Program Manager Phyllis Seyler has seen a spike in anxiety and depression coming from those calling in. “We’ve received concerns from family members with those living with mental health conditions. NAMI-Mcty is staying in the loop with the Mental Health Board and other agencies. We are trying to find ways to continue services through this pandemic to those in need,” Seyler said. NAMI has adapted the suicide prevention program called QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) to be available virtually. Registration is open for QPR Gatekeeper training. NAMI is still available for one on one support over the phone, email or video conference. “NAMI has seen a positive response to one on one Recovery and Family Support and Support Groups conducted virtually. From crisis to non-critical cases, NAMI notes that virtual assistance has made a tremendous difference in the lives of those served during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Seyler said. NAMI had to adapt from face to face counseling to make this work through the pandemic. A Workplace WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) is being created for county organizations to help with addressing mental health concerns in their workforce to launch in June.
Mental health service providers foresee a significant increase in the number of new clients. Clinical Director Dr. Melissa Katz of Samaritan Counseling Center of the Northwest Suburbs in Barrington notes that Samaritan anticipates an increase in depression, anxiety, social isolation, domestic disturbances, child abuse, substance use and suicidal thoughts. “Already we have seen a rise in depression. The circumstances that present with a shelter-in-place order seem to mimic symptoms of depression,” Katz said. But there are additional indicators of depression. An increase in substance use, overeating and sleep concerns are a part of the whole picture. “They are also reporting social isolation and a decrease of engagement in what used to be enjoyable activities,” Katz said. In connection to COVID-19, Samaritan’s therapists will see clients suffering from grief and loss. “This may include those who have lost a loved one, those working on the front line, people with financial insecurity and job loss and even children and adolescents who were unable to participate in many traditional milestones including prom and graduation,” Katz explained.
For those couples with a tenuous relationship and forced togetherness, stay-at-home can create an environment of violence. Jane Farmer, executive director of Turning Point, reflects on what is happening with domestic violence. “People are stuck in their own homes so much more with more people out of work, it is prime for drinking and committing domestic violence,” Farmer said. She wants to make it very clear that Turning Point is open and operating despite what she knows abusers have told their victims. “The abusers tell their victims that they can’t go anywhere, that no place will take them, that a place like Turning point isn’t open, though it’s categorically wrong because we are an essential service and we are open,” Farmer said. She explained why fewer calls may be coming in to domestic violence organizations around the country because “there is no time for women or men to make a phone call. The abuser is always around,” Farmer said. She hopes when Pritzker finally lifts the stay-at-home order, people that had hesitated to seek help will come into the women’s shelter and start counseling through Turning Point. This is not to say victims aren’t contacting Turning Point for help. Farmer says they are going to the courthouse in Woodstock for Orders of Protection. Although her staff isn’t let inside, Turning Point has attorneys with KRV Legal meeting with clients and helping them in court.
McHenry County’s mental health crisis fueled by social and economic distress represents a snapshot or a microcosm of counties across Illinois and throughout the U.S. National Council for Behavioral Health CEO Chuck Ingoglia warns about taking steps now to avert the collapse of the mental health system. “If we don’t take steps now, we can expect millions of people with mental illness and addiction to arrive in overtaxed emergency departments across the nation,” Ingoglia said. Providers as you can read from the additional information below are doing everything they can to make sure residents have access to services.
Additional information
NAMI Connection meets virtually weekly on Wednesdays at 2pm and Family Support Groups on Wednesdays at 3pm and 7pm. NAMI also has a Wellness Support Group for those working on the frontline in essential services on Thursdays at 6pm.
Samaritan will offer several free services in response to COVID-19 including Saturday Support Seminars. Samaritan clinicians are available for free, social educational and process-oriented groups with its secure telehealth platform. Groups will start soon and you can email Dr. Melissa Katz to join MKatz@sccnw.org. Boredom Busters works on developing creative ideas to combat boredom for children and adolescents. This is especially true lately as kids are feeling like they have nothing to do.
The coronavirus pandemic is also creating trauma as one of the most serious behavioral health challenges. Isolation, social distancing, unemployment, and a potential recession are boiling over. That’s the reason McHenry County services remain available to help turn down the heat that’s created added pressure. Call the McHenry County Crisis Line at 1-(800) 892-8900, 2-1-1, or the MCHELP Mobile App for information and referral. The Mental Health Board is monitoring increases in Crisis Line calls and need for support.
Turning Point of McHenry County offers a phone number for people to call 24 hours a day, seven days a week at (815) 338-8081. Should a person need help right away, they can come into the Turning Point agency, Monday through Thursday, 9am to 5:30pm and Friday 9am to 1pm with the shelter open all of the time.
