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Sean D. Reyes
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World Mental Health Day

October 10, 2020

Today for World Mental Health Day, we recognize the importance of looking after our mental health and the mental wellbeing of our loved ones in a year fraught with anxiety, depression, and stress.

This year has been incredibly challenging as our daily lives have been altered considerably as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Students have had to adjust to an online format for classes, contact with friends and family have been limited, many workers are facing threats to their livelihoods, and the fear associated with spreading COVID to our loved ones has increased as the cases continue to rise. Many are anxious about the future and worry for the economic consequences of the pandemic, while uncounted friends and family members are faced with the grief of losing their loved ones.

If you are struggling during this tumultuous time, it is normal and understandable. You are not alone in your struggles, and it is okay to ask for help if you are feeling overwhelmed, worried, or distressed.

Below are some tips and advice to help you look out for your mental health and help those who may need some extra support:

  • Stay informed – Listen to the advice and direction from local authorities and health officials, and make sure your information is coming from trusted news sources – not just information you get from unverified social media posts.
  • Keep in touch – Make sure you’re keeping in touch with your friends and loved ones, even if you have to be apart. Check in with them and let them know how you’re doing through online platforms or by phone.
  • Keep up routines – Although the world may be constantly changing around you and affecting your normal schedules, try to keep up with your normal routines. Get up and go to bed at regular times, eat meals regularly, make time for working out, and set aside time to do what you love and enjoy.
  • Minimize screen time – Having a constant flow of news throughout the day can make you anxious or depressed. Take breaks from social media and screens periodically.

If you need some extra emotional support, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Reach out to the lines below if you need to talk to someone:

  • SafeUT – Download the free SafeUT app to message a crisis counselor. Available 24/7.
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Available 24/7.
  • Crisis Text Line – Text HOME to 741741. Available 24/7.
  • Intermountain Health Care, free emotional health relief hotline – 833-442-2211. Available 10am to 10pm, 7 days a week.
  • University Neuropsychiatric Institute (UNI) warm line – 801-587-1055. Available 8am to 11pm, 7 days a week.
  • University Neuropsychiatric Institute (UNI) crisis line – 801-587-3000. Available 24/7.

Mental health is a priority for Attorney General Sean D. Reyes and the Utah Attorney General’s Office. In June 2020, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted unanimously to designate 988 as the new three-digit suicide hotline, following the dedicated efforts of the Utah Attorney General’s Office and partners. This is an incredible step forward for prioritizing suicide prevention and ensuring the well-being of all Utahns and Americans.  

Additionally, we recognize SafeUT and their dedication to providing mental health resources and crisis intervention for Utah’s students and educators throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. We are grateful for their efforts and encourage you to download SafeUT for free if you have not previously.

The Utah Attorney General’s Office is proud to partner with organizations such as the Jason Foundation, the SafeUT Commission, the University Neuropsychiatric Institute (UNI), and Life’s Worth Living Foundation. These organizations help raise awareness of the prevalence of suicide in the State of Utah and provide resources and education on suicide prevention.

Resources and Support During COVID-19 for Mental Health Awareness Month

May 6, 2020

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and in a year dominated by a pandemic, it is crucial to be kind to ourselves and vigilant and aware of our personal mental well-being. We should also pay attention to friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors.  We are all in this together. 

COVID-19 has altered our lives, our routines, and created a new normal in our lives. It is crucial that we all take time to acknowledge that fact in order to maintain balance in our lives.

The coronavirus pandemic has brought about many changes and the uncertainty has been stressful for many people. Anxiety and unease have been prevalent and with the quick pace of newly implemented protocols and changing environments, uncertainty has followed. As social distancing measures were put in place, many suffered from loneliness and were inundated with an information overload from social media, news, and internet sites.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we are all suffering from various levels of anxiety, sadness, fear, and loneliness. For those who already struggled with mental health issues, those feelings are potentially more acute and the world may have felt especially difficult and heavy.

Please know that this is normal, and you are not alone. During this pandemic, we want to make sure that you are not just looking out for your physical health, but your mental health as well. Know that there are ways that you can help manage your stress and be attentive to your mental health. We can all weather this storm together.

Below are some self-care tips:

  • Make sure you are getting enough sleep. Perhaps the most important thing to taking care of you and your mental health is making sure you are getting enough sleep.
  • Stick with your normal routines. Get up when you normally would get ready for the day, even if you are staying at home, and get to bed on time.
  • Take breaks. Step away from your electronic devices throughout the day. Constantly hearing about the pandemic and frequently visiting social media platforms can be upsetting.
  • Stay in touch with others. Just because you are physically social distancing, does not mean you have to mentally or emotionally distance yourself. Stay in touch with friends and family and talk to people you trust about your concerns.
  • Make sure you are getting exercise. Even if it is just going for walks, make sure you are getting up and moving around throughout the day.

Please know that if you need help with emotional support, there are resources available to you.

  • SafeUT – Download the free SafeUT app to message a crisis counselor. Available 24/7.
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Available 24/7.
  • Crisis Text Line – Text HOME to 741741. Available 24/7.
  • Intermountain Health Care, free emotional health relief hotline – 833-442-2211. Available 10am to 10pm, 7 days a week.
  • University Neuropsychiatric Institute (UNI) warm line – 801-587-1055. Available 8am to 11pm, 7 days a week.
  • University Neuropsychiatric Institute (UNI) crisis line – 801-587-3000. Available 24/7.

The Utah Attorney General’s Office is proud to partner with organizations dedicated to looking out for the mental health of Utahns including Utah Suicide Prevention Coalition, Nami Utah, Jason Foundation, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – Utah Chapter, SafeUT Commission, Life’s Worth Living Foundation, University Neuropsychiatric Institute (UNI), Veterans Crisis Line.

For more information on mental health and tips to look out for you and others during this time, check out these resources:

Mayo Clinic – COVID-19 and Your Mental Health

University of Utah Health – Coping with Mental Health During COVID-19 Pandemic

Utah Department of Human Services – Your Mental Health and COVID-19

Intermountain Health Care – Emotional Health Relief Hotline

Utah Coronavirus Task Force – Mental Health Resources

Utah Resources for Mental Health and Substance Abuse During COVID-19

April 15, 2020

We recognize that during the COVID-19 pandemic these are difficult times for many people, especially those struggling with substance abuse or mental health. Below are some resources available for individuals, providers, and communities.

Look After Your Mental Health

The Utah Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health provided some helpful tips on ways that you can look after you and your mental health:

  1.   Seek information from legitimate sources and set limits around media exposure
  2.   Take care of yourself (Airplane Rules: Put your own oxygen mask on before helping others)
  3.   Safely reach out to others and support people around you
  4.   Maintain a sense of hope and positive thinking; read something good and uplifting
  5.   Acknowledge your feelings, bounce them off a friend or loved one
  6.   Take time to talk to children about COVID-19
  7.   Ask for support, including professional support if needed. Asking for help is a sign of strength; none of us can do this alone.

Read more tips from them on how to manage stress here.

Guidance for Prescribers About Providing Telemedicine

SAMHSA and DEA released updated guidance for prescribers about providing telemedicine to new patients for buprenorphine. Click Buprenophone-Telemedicine for more information. If you would like to know overall information on the Drug Enforcement Administration’s guidelines, please click on Use of Telemedicine While Providing Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) here at MAT Guidelines.

SAMHSA Updates and Resources for Opioid Treatment Programs

The COVID-19 guidance includes approaches for providing pharmacotherapy for opioids use disorder patients exposed to infections and COVID-19, disaster planning, potential flexibility for take-home medication, OTP guidance for patients quarantined at home with the coronavirus, and Frequently Asked Questions: FAQ for OTP Guidance during Quarantine.

Learn more about the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) COVID-19 Guidance for Opioid Treatment Programs here and for overall information about Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health, please visit: SAMHSA Home Page.

Safely Dispose of Your Unwanted Medications

The National Take-Back Initiative where you can safely dispose of your unwanted, unused medications was planned for April 25, 2020, but has been postponed until further notice. If you are in need of disposing of unused, unwanted or expired medication, the Utah Opioid Task Force has free Dispose RX packets they can send to you.

Community Resources

Please check in on your loved ones and be aware of signs of poor mental health and emotional well-being. It’s important we have these types of resources readily available during these times. If a loved one needs substance use treatment, please access: https://findtreatment.gov/

Here are some other important phone numbers to have and share with your friends, family, and community: 

  • COVID-19 Hotline 1-800-456-7707
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
  • University Neuropsychiatric Institute (UNI) Crisis Line: 801-587-3000
  • UNI WarmLine: 801-587-1055
  • Domestic Abuse Hotline:  1-800-799-7233
  • Utah Naloxone 385- 495-9050

If you need Peer Recovery Support and Family Support, USARA is functioning with an online presence at www.myusara.com.

SafeUT Remains Active for Students

The mental well-being of our youth is critical during these times. The SafeUT app is a real-time crisis intervention tool and tip line for students. This resource is fully functioning during current circumstances and can be downloaded here: https://healthcare.utah.edu/uni/safe-ut.

You are not alone during these trying times. We are in this together.