Physical and mental isolation go hand-in-hand. Author: Hollie Strano Updated: 6:31 AM EDT April 16, 2021
CLEVELAND The COVID-19 pandemic has been hard on everyone, but especially for some of our most vulnerable loved ones. While we are starting to see the light, the stress of this last year on our seniors will be felt for years to come. They have been isolated physically, and in many cases, mentally two separate parts of the body that really go hand-in-hand.
“There’s this statistic out there that loneliness has the same health affects as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, says Beverley Laubert, the state of Ohio’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman. So people are thinking about the psycho-social toll on the isolation, but it really does have a physical toll as well.”
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COLUMBUS April is Alcohol Awareness Month, and the Ohio Department of Commerce’s Division of Liquor Control (DOLC) is encouraging Ohioans to “raise a glass responsibly” through a month-long outreach campaign. Content and resources for this campaign were gathered from the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services (OhioMHAS).
All April, the Ohio Liquor Facebook page will address alcohol awareness in a positive and productive light by sharing educational resources, promoting mindful consumption and offering non-alcoholic alternatives to many popular cocktails.
“Alcohol Awareness Month is a time to be thoughtful about alcohol consumption,” said Jim Canepa, DOLC superintendent. “This campaign reinforces our goal of promoting social responsibility with alcohol.”
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EDITOR’S NOTE: This is a Guest Column from the The Mental Health and Recovery Board of Erie and Ottawa Counties.
Is the stress of disrupted routines, social distancing, and overall uncertainty of the future weighing on you? We’re all feeling extra stress these days.
It goes without saying that a number of individuals are struggling right now with a variety of issues such as addiction, depression, and anxiety. The past year has not been normal, and it’s okay to not feel okay. Help is available.
A good place to start is the Ohio Careline at 1-800-720-9616. This free, confidential support is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Or you may contact the local crisis hotline at 1-800-826-1306. Last year alone, more than 13,000 calls were made to the crisis hotline and we are so thankful that residents of Erie and Ottawa Counties used this service.
djohnson@mojonews.com
Morning Journal/Deanne Johnson
Marcy Patton, executive director of the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board for Columbiana County, presents Columbiana County Healthy Commissioner Wes Vins with a certificate of recognition from the Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities (OACBHA), which represents Ohioâs alcohol, drug addiction and mental health boards. The OACBHA decided to give its annual Presidentâs Partnering for Quality Award to local health commissioners, who have led the charge during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic.
LISBON While the Columbiana County Health Department has spent the year working toward keeping as many residents safe from the coronavirus as possible, the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board has been trying to make certain the pandemic does not harm more people mentally, including those who may not normally suffer from mental health issues.