Don’t Neglect Your Mental Health This Time of Year

Every day we wake up and put on two faces. The first face is the one that we show the outside world. That's the face that looks cool, confident, calm, and together. The other face, the one we see when we look at ourselves in the mirror often paints a different picture. A picture of insecurity, inadequacy, and if we're being honest, fear. A fear that we're not okay.

The coronavirus pandemic has certainly played into those fears a lot. And as if being concerned about an invisible deadly virus wasn't enough, here come the holidays and all the added stress and angst that comes along with them. So, now you've got COVID concerns stacked on top of seasonal insecurity, what should you do?

The simple answer is to talk to someone. For most of us, a little therapy session with a friend or family member over a cup of coffee is more than plenty to help us right our wrong way of thinking. If you feel as if you're in too deep or you don't have a trusted friend or colleague you can speak with professional help is available.

The Louisiana Department of Health has established a toll-free hotline that you can call. It's called The Keep Calm Through COVID hotline. The number is 1-866-310-7977.

Trained professionals are standing by to take your call and talk about what is troubling you. Whether your concerns are COVID related, Christmas related, or even hurricane season-related. There are friendly voices and a compassionate ear ready to hear your concerns.

Look, you'd visit a doctor for an injury to your arm or leg or back, why wouldn't you seek professional assistance if your mind was hurting? See, it makes sense and there is free help available, take advantage of it.