Over the past couple of weeks, I worked on a story about the mental health toll of #coronavirus/ #COVID19 and social distancing efforts. I can’t begin to express the gratitude I feel for the people who were willing to share their stories and deeply personal experiences with me. 1/

None of the people I talked to questioned whether social distancing was needed. They were all worried about what could - and even what already was - happening to them, to their friends, to their loved ones.

Some have dealt with anxiety their whole lives. Others are just struggling to figure out a new normal. It’s tough to all of a sudden have your life turned around - something we can all relate to. They all wanted to talk about it to show solidarity and erase any associated stigma.

They all also found ways to connect with others and find even a little joy. Daniel Goldberg shared his experience as public health ethics professor who has to analyze the crisis and responses to it while dealing with his own anxiety and stress. His solution? Radical compassion.

Anastasia Briggs, who suffered previous trauma, lost her job during the crisis. She shared how much it meant to her when a friend dropped off banana bread at her door and how she and her friends are constantly checking on each other.

Rae Moore lives alone and worries about what social life and finances will be like even after the orders are lifted. But to get her mind off it, she sews masks for those on the front lines.

Richard Erickson who lives in assisted living talked about taking walks and reading to try to keep positive. His family constantly checks on him, his daughter eager to hug her dad when she can. After I interviewed him, two more residents at his facility died.

Angela Pierce talked about her parents who are forced to live separately as her dad is quarantined in a nursing facility and her mom in a hotel after her condo flooded. Her dad has dementia & doesn’t understand why he can’t see his wife. She urges people to stay home for others’.

They’re not alone in those problems or their thoughts. But that doesn’t mean the problems not very real or should be pushed aside. A lot of experts were gracious enough to share their advice: Find routines, do things that make you happy, don’t be ashamed to ask for help.

This is a hard time. Take care of yourselves and each other. It’s the only way to get through it. And if you need help, there are resources out there for you - regardless of your income. You’re not alone. /end https://www.denverpost.com/2020/04/12/mental-health-colorado-coronavirus-covid/