MUSCATINE, Iowa - Muscatine County Public Health encourages residents to reach out for help if their emotions surrounding COVID-19 become overwhelming.
“Life has completely changed for all of us because of COVID-19,” said Muscatine County Public Health Director Christy Roby Williams, “Social distancing guidelines are good for helping to slow the spread of the virus and protect vulnerable populations, but can be extremely difficult for many, especially if it means isolation from family, friends or co-workers. We are all experiencing grief right now; not only grief from death of loved ones but also for the normal routines we want back.”
If you are concerned about your own or a loved one’s mental health, including suicidal thoughts, their use of alcohol or drugs, or problems with gambling, visit YourLifeIowa.org for free and confidential phone, chat and text services, as well as links to local treatment providers. For an immediate link to local resources you can visit the Eastern Iowa Mental Health and Disability Services Region website for mental health service providers at www.easterniowamhds.org or call their 24-hour crisis line at 844-430-0375. For local services regarding concerns with substance use you can contact UnityPoint Health – New Horizons at 563-264-9409. Many providers are offering telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you are wondering what it’s like to contact Your Life Iowa, you can watch a short video to see how it works. Visit https://youtu.be/YNwODg1jse8. Services are free, confidential, and available 24/7 by phone at 855-581-8111, text at 855-895-8398 or online chat at YourLifeIowa.org.
For up-to-date information on COVID-19, visit the IDPH webpage at
https://idph.iowa.gov/Emerging-Health-Issues/Novel-Coronavirus and follow the department on Facebook at @IowaDepartmentOfPublicHealth and on Twitter at @IAPublicHealth. https://www.facebook.com/Trinity-Muscatine-Public-Health-221869804495734/