Beware of the long term effects of COVID-19

I am not going to talk about potential long term physical health effects because we do not know enough about this yet. I would however, like to direct your attention to our current mental health status and stress levels. Many of us are operating under an extreme amount of stress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic whether it is due to the uncertainty of the future, changes in housing or financial stability or other reasons.

Prolonged activation of the stress-response system and the overexposure to cortisol and other stress hormones that follows can disrupt almost all your body's processes. This puts you at increased risk of many health problems, including:

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Digestive problems

• Headaches

• Heart disease

• Sleep problems

• Weight gain

• Memory and concentration impairment

It's so important to learn healthy ways to cope with our every day stressors and the increased stress related to the pandemic. I heard once that if you are coping with your stressors and celebrating your successes the same way, something has got to change. I hope that you will join the Hopkinton Health Department and pledge to do whatever it takes to improve the mental, physical and emotional health of our community. It is imperative that we examine our actions and behaviors and then change them if needed to model best behaviors for our children. We should be focusing our efforts to demonstrate that we are resilient, strong, and kind even in difficult times. Arguably, the greatest strengths of a community are its people, their empathy for others, and their relationships to each other. People who are invested in their communities and socially connected are often better able to protect themselves and often are more willing and ready to help others through adversity.

The "It All Starts Here" campaign created by the Hopkinton Health Department hopes to reunite the residents of Hopkinton and support the reopening of schools by providing education on best health practices and improving access/visibility to much needed resources available in town now. If you are struggling with any issues, please contact the health department, Youth& Family services, your physician, friend or any other trusted source. We are here to help!

Youth & Families Local Resource list

Get immediate help in a crisis

• Call 911

• Disaster Distress Helpline : 1-800-985-5990 (press 2 for Spanish), or text TalkWithUs for English or Hablanos for Spanish to 66746. Spanish speakers from Puerto Rico can text Hablanos to 1-787-339-2663.

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for English, 1-888-628-9454 for Spanish, or Lifeline Crisis Chat.

• National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-7233 or text LOVEIS to 22522

• National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-4AChild (1-800-422-4453) or text 1-800-422-4453

• National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or Online Chat

• The Eldercare Locator 1-800-677-1116  TTY Instructionsexternal icon

• Veteran’s Crisis Line: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or Crisis Chat or text: 8388255

Find a health care provider or treatment for substance use disorder and mental health

• SAMHSA’s National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) and TTY 1-800-487-4889

• Treatment Services Locator Website

• Interactive Map of Selected Federally Qualified Health Centers