Outbreaks of infectious diseases can be a stressful time. With additional concerns about the economic impact of the pandemic, many may feel overwhelmed with anxiety, fear, or worry.

May is Mental Health Month and County officials are encouraging you to monitor your mental well-being and that of your loved ones. They’re also offering tips on how to mentally cope with pandemics.

Common signs of distress may include:

• Feelings of numbness, disbelief, anxiety, or fear

• Changes in appetite, energy, and activity levels

• Difficulty concentrating

• Difficulty sleeping or nightmares and upsetting thoughts and images

• Physical reactions, such as headaches, body pains, stomach problems, and skin rashes

• Worsening of chronic health problems

• Anger or short temper

Luke Bergmann, director of County Behavioral Health Services, said it’s important to keenly observe your mental and emotional wellbeing and to find ways to safely stay connected to your friends and family. Be aware of the signs of stress and know when to seek help for yourself, and those you care about.

“While COVID-19 is impacting communities in different ways and to different extents, it is traumatic for all of us.  We all need one another, now maybe more than ever, to get through difficult times,” Bergmann said. “Find ways to stay connected. Call or video chat with friends and family or a support line until it’s safe to do it in person.”

Here are other tips to maintain your mental health:

• Take care of your body by stretching, taking deep breaths, and meditating.

• Eat healthy and well-balanced meals.

• Exercise and get plenty of sleep.

• Make time to unwind and engage in activities you love, if they’re allowed.

• Limit time spent watching, reading or listening to information about the pandemic, even on social media.

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES AVAILABLE YEAR ROUND

Mental Health Month was established to raise awareness, educate communities and reduce stigma surrounding people experiencing mental illness.

The County Administration Center, located at 1600 Pacific Highway, will be lit lime green from May 11-15 to celebrate people in recovery and those who support them.

The County and its partners have created virtual events to commemorate the month, due to the restrictions on public gatherings. People can still come together to break the stigma and support mental health.

It’s important for residents to know that despite the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health resources and support are still readily available through County Behavioral Health Services and its many service providers.

If you or someone you know need help or are experiencing a mental health crisis, you can talk to a trained counselor by calling the County’s 24-hour, multi-lingual Access and Crisis Line at 888-724-7240. Other resources are available on Behavioral Health Services’ COVID-19 Resources for Families, Parents & Caregivers webpage or the It’s Up to Us website.

TESTING IS EXPANDING THIS WEEK

The region’s COVID-19 testing is expanding this week, with new sites being added in central and southeastern San Diego, the County Health and Human Services Agency announced.

The County will open an appointment-only drive-up testing site at San Diego County Credit Union Stadium in Mission Valley on Monday. That site can test up to 180 individuals a day and will operate Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

To make an appointment for the site at SDCCU Stadium, county residents can call 2-1-1.

In addition to the County’s site at SDCCU Stadium, state-run walk-up test sites will open at the Tubman-Chavez Center at 415 Euclid Ave. and at the San Diego County Assessor Office at 200 S. Magnolia Avenue in El Cajon.

The state-run sites open on Tuesday, May 19, and are in addition to state sites already operating in Escondido and Chula Vista. To make an appointment at any of the state-run locations, visit www.lhi.care/covidtesting or call 888-634-1123.

Additionally, the County’s Live Well on Wheels Mobile Office tomorrow will once again offer COVID-19 testing at Euclid Health Center, located at 292 Euclid Ave. An appointment is required and can be set up by calling 2-1-1. The mobile test site will continue to operate at Euclid Health Center each Saturday for the foreseeable future.

COVID-19 testing options include calling your doctor or medical provider to schedule an appointment, signing up on the state website, or calling 2-1-1.

FLATTENING THE CURVE

More than 4,000 COVID-19 tests were reported May 14, the highest daily total since testing started in the region. At the same time, the percentage of positive COVID-19 cases continues to trend down.

A total of 132 new cases were reported yesterday, which is 3% of the total number of people tested. This metric continues a downward trend of positive cases and is a sign that the region is moving in the right direction in containing the spread of the novel coronavirus.

“We will continue to monitor these data to support further opening of local businesses and activities,” said Wilma J. Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer. “As life slowly starts to move toward the new normal, I commend the efforts of our community and strongly encourage each of you to keep up the good work by practicing physical distancing, wearing a face covering, washing your hands regularly and conducting routine sanitation.”

COVID-19 TESTING, CASES AND DEATHS

Testing:

• 4,055 tests were reported to the County May 14 and 132 or 3% were positive.

• Yesterday’s 14-day, rolling average percentage of positive tests was 4.4%, down from 4.6% on May 13.

  Cases:

• 132 new cases were reported for a San Diego County total of 5,523.

• 1,070 or 19.4% of the total cases have required hospitalization.

• 325 or 5.9% of all cases had to be placed in intensive care.

Deaths:

• Eight additional COVID-19 deaths were reported today, bringing the region’s total to 208.

• The new reported deaths were six women and two men. Their ages ranged from 65 to 94 years.

• All eight had underlying medical conditions.

• The number of active outbreaks, deaths and cases at nursing homes and other congregate living facilities are:

• 69 active outbreaks, 46 at congregate living facilities and 23 in community settings.

• 1,269 cases, including 97 deaths in congregate living facilities.

• 275 cases, including five deaths in community settings.