The coronavirus pandemic is an unprecedented global event that has caused profound uncertainty, fear, stress, confusion, grief and trauma. As a result, many have been dealing with mental health challenges.

Yet, pre-existing structural and systemic inequities— like housing instability, food insecurity and racism— marginalized communities and vulnerable individuals are struggling with even greater levels of stress, anxiety and depression.

Strategies for coping

In a new, special release podcast from the Center for Prevention at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, a group of Minnesota’s frontline health care and social service professionals, community leaders and caregivers talk about strategies for coping during this crisis.

The episode includes conversations with:

• Family therapists and social workers who discuss how they are helping patients cope with grief and loss
• Teachers and people caring for children who offer tips on resilience and compassion
• Community leaders who share their thoughts on nurturing connection

In addition, Brendan Shane, director of behavioral health at Blue Cross, who is responsible for the strategic direction and management of the company’s behavioral health services, shares how his team is responding to the crisis.

“I've often said that social distancing doesn't mean social isolation,” Shane says. “At Blue Cross we’re working to make sure people have access and availability to receive the treatment and the services they need to be healthy. This is across the board—including mental health, substance use and medical conditions.”

Community means belonging to one another

One of the lessons from this pandemic is that though we might be feeling alone or isolated, we can count on each other for support, community and healing. We’ve seen this through people coming together to make masks for frontline health care workers, singing on balconies and buying groceries for neighbors.

These are all ways we tell those around us that their well-being is connected to our own. Sharing mental health coping strategies is a way of letting communities know that we belong to them and they belong to us.

Listen now

A link to this episode and all previous episodes can be found at https://www.centerforpreventionmn.com/podcast.

More Information

The most up-to-date information from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota can be found at bluecrossmn.com/coronavirus.

More information about guidelines specific to Minnesota can be found on the Minnesota Department of Health website.

Information from the CDC can be found on their website.

Editor's note: Read more tips from Brendan Shane on taking care of your mental health during COVID-19 in this blog post.