“I follow three rules: Do the right thing, do the best you can, and always show people you care.”

Lou Holtz

§ Jennifer Birnie – GVH Foundation Director, Community Well Being Coordinator

§ Kimberly Behounek, Regional Director – The Center for Mental Health

§ Kari Commerford – Director of Gunnison County Juvenile Services

§ Gunnison County Community members at risk:

§ Adults—unemployment, food security, child care, kids at home, poor coping, illness, concern for family and community members, isolation, depression

§ Teens—pandemic uncertainty, school at home-continuity in learning, no activities, change in routine, parental stress, missed significant life events

§ Children—fear and anxiety of the unknown, change in routine, masks, social distancing, possible developmental impacts, family stressors

§ Seniors—high risk for COVID infection, isolation, vulnerability, limited access to healthcare, boredom, lack of social supports, technology

Overall COVID 19 fatigue with a feeling like there is no end in sight…

§ According to the Colorado Health Foundation 1 in 2 Coloradoans report experiencing mental health strains due to coronavirus.

§ According to the Gunnison County November Business and Community Survey

§ Over 58% of business owners say their own mental health has declined since this time last year

§ 23% of respondents indicated feeling stressed or anxious ‘Most of the time’ or ‘Often’ in the last few weeks

§ 26% reported an increase in alcohol consumption

§ Gunnison County’s prevalence of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) include physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and parental mental health/substance use disorder (SUD). ACE’s have the potential to negatively impact health outcomes across an individual’s life.

§ The most frequent ACE is neglect, which spiked between January and March of 2020.

§ Gunnison Valley Hospital (GVH) has seen a 500% increase in admits to the ER for behavioral issues for adults in 2020. The primary diagnosis seen in ER visits include: anxiety, suicide attempt or ideation, alcohol and opioid non-fatal overdose, depression, hallucinations/bizarre behavior.

§ Since January 2020, there has been an 18% increase in visits for suicidal ideation and a 10% increase in alcohol non-fatal overdose in primarily our adult population.

§ Fall 2019 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey Data

§ 27% of HS students report binge drinking (5+ drinks) in the past 30 days (statistically significant – state, region and nation)

§ Of the 27% who reported Binge drinking § 43.1% reported they felt sad or hopeless almost every day for two weeks or

more in a row during the past 12 months that they stopped doing usual activities.

§ 20.2 % reported they made a plan about how they would attempt suicide during the past 12 months

§ 10.3% reported they attempted suicide one or more times during the past 12 months.

§ Administered September – October 2020 with 560 respondents

§ Looking at Stress and Substance Use

§ Binge Drinking Rates at least once – 5 + drinks in the past 30 days§ 18-24 = 71%§ 25-34 = 56%§ 35-44 = 28%§ 45-54 = 19%

§ 25% binge drank 5 or more times in the past 30 days

For each question, agree and somewhat agree were combined to get these numbers.

31.39

28 27.5

12.16 11.61 11.5

6.92 6.53

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Financialinsecurity

Social isolation Relationshipswith family

Lack of access tomedical services

Housinginsecurities

Lack of access tomental health

services

Food insecurities Lack of qualitychild care

For the following questions use the time frame of the past 30 days. ________has been causing me stress.

• Too many activities and school work between three kids to balance• Overtime at work with a very busy schedule. Balancing life/work• Isolation and all the Covid issues• Lack of employees and issues with finding good hard workers for small local

business

§ Fear and worry about your own health and the health of your loved ones, your financial situation or job, or loss of support services you rely on.

§ Changes in sleep or eating patterns.

§ Difficulty sleeping or concentrating.

§ Worsening of chronic health problems.

§ Worsening of mental health conditions.

§ Increased use of tobacco, and/or alcohol and other substances.

§ Know what to do if you are sick and are concerned about COVID-19. Contact a health professional before you start any self-treatment for COVID-19.

§ Know where and how to get treatment and other support services and resources, including counseling or therapy (in person or through telehealth services).

§ Take care of your emotional health. Taking care of your emotional health will help you think clearly and react to the urgent needs to protect yourself and your family.

§ Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including those on social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting.

§ Take care of your body. § Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditateexternal icon.§ Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals.§ Exercise regularly.§ Get plenty of sleep.§ Avoid excessive alcohol and drug use.

§ Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy.

§ Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.

§ Connect with your community- or faith-based organizations. While social distancing measures are in place, consider connecting online, through social media, or by phone or mail.

§ Set achievable, reasonable, and measurable goals (ex. “I will take the dog out at 10 am today for 10 minutes.” vs. “I will walk every day for the next three months for an hour with the dog.”

§ Make decisions based on facts and your priorities

§ Adjust your goals and decisions to keep your stress and worry manageable.

§ Judgment and what if’s have no space here. Stay mentally strong and say no to those negative thoughts.

§ Do something small that makes you happy (give your pet a hug, give yourself permission to stay in your pajama’s, leave a neighbor a note about why you appreciate them, call a loved one just to say hi)

§ Avoidance

§ Not answering truthfully when someone asks how are you?

§ Inability to complete tasks despite effort to do so

§ Excessively irritable, judgmental and/or shutting down with those you trust

§ Restricted ability to express emotions or feeling out of control of emotions

§ Making irrational and/or impulsive decisions

§ Drinking or using substances in excess

§ It’s Okay to not be Okay

§ Mental Health Resources The Center for Mental Health Support and Crisis Line • Call this free, 24- hour support line if you are feeling stressed or anxious, or if you just need to talk with someone. 970-252-6220. A text line is also available. Text TALK to 38255 for free, confidential, professional support

§ Gunnison Valley Health • Call Joe or Barbara, peer support specialists who can help you take your next steps towards mental health. Monday -Thursday at (970)-596-8182 and Friday - Sunday at (971) 596-0127.

§ Crested Butte State of Mind • Scholarships available for residents who are uninsured or underinsured to access mental health services. Email mdougherty@cbstateofmind.org or fill out an application online at www.cbstateofmind.org

§ Youth Wellness – up to 4 free wellness sessions for all youth 12-18 within 72 hours of request. www.youthwellnessco.com

§ City of Gunnison Cares Act – Tuition Assistance for childcare for Gunnison families and centers

§ Go To COVID 19 Resource Page - https://covid19.gunnisoncounty.org/community-resources/