Sen. Bellows to host online mental health discussion

Posted: June 01, 2020 | Senator Bellows

At 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 2, Senator Shenna Bellows, D-Manchester, will interview a panel of mental health experts in a Facebook Live event to discuss minding mental health during a pandemic.

During this time of increased emotional and financial stress for so many Mainers, mental health can easily fall by the wayside. We know that grappling with mental health may be new for many. More than half of Americans — 56 percent — reported that worry or stress related to the outbreak has led to at least one negative mental health effect, according to a recent Kaiser Family Foundation poll. And for those who had come to rely on in-person therapy or support groups before COVID-19, social distancing measures have surely disrupted their normal mental health routines.

Specific topics that will be discussed include:

  • Online resources available to Mainers of all ages and backgrounds
  • Simple, healthy, behavioral practices to employ 
  • The challenges that arise with people’s changed living situations (whether that means increased isolation or too many people under one roof)
  • The complex interactions between business/financial stressors and personal psychological stressors for both individuals and families

Sen. Bellows will be joined by:

  • David Faigin, Ph.D, Clinical Psychologist
  • Dr. Erin Belfort, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
  • John Stewart, Ph.D, Child and Family Psychologist
  • Jeffrey Janell LCPC, CCS, Counselor

Sen. Bellows will take audience questions for the panelists.
For anyone seeking immediate support, Maine Crisis Hotline is here to listen. Call or text 1-888-568-1112 or start an online chat at www.heretohelpmaine.com.