For Immediate Release
Illeah Marcum
May 4, 2020
Phone: 479-365-2141
Email: imarcum@arcrisis.org
Springdale, AR – The Coronavirus is making a strong impact across the state and is affecting each one of us. Self-isolation, physical distancing, job loss, closed schools, and separation from friends and loved ones are, individually, overwhelming. Coupling that with daily press briefings, COVID-19 Task Force updates, and CDC health and safety guidelines have added an incremental amount of stress.
“We have all experienced a change in our day-to-day lives, our routines and habits have been disrupted and that’s stressful. We are all searching for a little hope for tomorrow. Hope that we can return to work, hope that we can pay our bills, hope that we don’t catch the virus. Let us give you that hope! When you are questioning tomorrow, we are here to offer you help for today and hope for tomorrow,” said Illeah Marcum, Crisis Services Program Manager.
There are ways you can cope through this extremely difficult situation. Focus on what you can do. Call a friend, video chat with your family, meditate, learn how to bake bread, take a virtual tour of a museum, go on a walk, or teach your dog a new trick.
Most importantly, be kind to yourself. There is nothing wrong with you for feeling anxious right now. It is completely normal to be experiencing fear, stress, sadness, depression, or the loss of control. Give yourself grace and know that you are doing the best that you can.
“The Arkansas Crisis Center is dedicated to restoring hope, empowering people, and saving lives through suicide prevention. COVID-19 was unexpected and created high amounts of stress seemingly overnight for the entire country. While we struggle to learn a different way of life to protect ourselves from the virus, there are those among our family, friends, and acquaintances that are not strong enough to cope with what life’s thrown at them. The Arkansas Crisis Center is here to help. We have trained Call Specialists here to take your call any time, day or night, and can help link you and your loved ones with local resources. Call us today at 988,” said Rebecca Brubaker, Executive Director
You are not going through this alone. The Coronavirus is a global pandemic. We will get through this and we will all be, collectively, stronger because of it. But if, in the midst, you’d like to speak with someone, we’re here. Call us at 988. We want to help.