As San Diegans follow directives to stay at home and avoid gatherings, Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer On April 3 reminded residents that resources are available to stay healthy, both physically and mentally.
 
“COVID-19 has affected every aspect of our daily lives, decreasing our personal interactions while increasing stress and anxiety. As we’re all taking care of each other, we also need to take care of ourselves,” said Faulconer. “We’re all in this together, so remember that you’re not alone and there are resources to help protect your physical and mental health.”
 
Faulconer was joined by Cathryn Nacario, CEO of National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) San Diego, Baron Herdelin-Doherty, president and CEO of San Diego County YMCA, and Dr. David Folsom, director for the Division of Clinical Psychiatry and vice chair for the Clinical Affairs Department of Psychiatry at UC San Diego Health.
 
UC San Diego Health helps individuals and families affected by mental health concerns and illness, with effective and compassionate mental health care.  
 
“As we adjust to the personal, professional and lifestyle changes we’re all making to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, it’s understandable for certain mental health concerns to arise,” said Folsom. “It is important to know that mental health services are still available, both at UC San Diego Health and throughout San Diego. We have greatly expanded our capacity to provide mental health care via video telehealth, and more than 80 percent of patient visits this week have been done using this technology.”
 
NAMI San Diego is moving its mental health resources including support groups, classes and parenting sessions to an online platform. Additional resources provided by NAMI San Diego can be found at namisandiego.org. For those experiencing crisis, the NAMI San Diego Helpline offers trained peer and family support specialists at 1-800-523-5933. The 24/7 Access and Crisis Line can be reached at 888-724-7240. For San Diego resources, residents can also call 2-1-1 or visit 211sandiego.org.
 
“In these times of high-stress and anxiety, it is just as important as ever to maintain a routine, especially any existing mental health treatment plan,” said Nacario. “I encourage San Diegans to fully utilize the numerous resources available at NAMI for individuals, families and children to stay both mentally and physically fit amid COVID-19.”
 
The San Diego County YMCA serves residents with the goal of providing a safe place to nurture and uplift all people. With a team of mental health professionals, the YMCA has implemented a Virtual YMCA where residents can access workout classes as well as mental health and childcare services affordably. Additional resources can be found at YMCASD.org  
“Children and families have always been the heart of our work at the YMCA,” said Herdelin-Doherty. “While we can’t be physically together during this time, San Diegans can visit our Virtual Y at ymcasd.org and get everything they need to stay physically and mentally fit in one place. Most importantly, they can follow the stay-at-home orders and do their part to contribute to the health of our community.”  
Residents and businesses should continue to abide by directives outlined by the City, County and State, including to stay at home with the exception of necessary activities or working to support essential businesses. All San Diego-operated parks, beaches, bays, trails and boardwalks are currently closed to the public.
 
A statewide “Stay-at-Home” order is in effect until April 30. For more information on the order, including what’s closed, what’s open and which industries are exempted by the state, please visit COVID19.ca.gov.
 
For information regarding COVID-19 cases and directives from the County of San Diego public health officials, please visit www.coronavirus-sd.com.
 
For the latest City operational updates and steps the public can take to help reduce the spread of the disease, please visit sandiego.gov/coronavirus.