Find articles here to help individuals and families coping with mental health challenges and daily life.

Common COVID-19 Challenges and the Opportunities They Offer

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought difficulties for everyone, no matter their status or position in life. We have all had our physical, emotional, and intellectual challenges to surmount, some of them unbidden and some of them by our own choices. There are opportunities and challenges in everyone’s journey, though — we just need to take advantage of the opportunities that come our way and stretch our gratitude muscles to see the positive aspects of life.

The Lee Thompson Young Foundation is dedicated to removing the stigma associated with mental illness and improving the lives of those impacted. Learn how you can get involved.

Employment Changes

A lot of people are experiencing employment changes, with many people being laid off or changing jobs. Not only that, but work looks different now. Many people now work from home permanently or on a regular basis as a result of the restrictions brought on by COVID-19, with some companies even stating that they will keep work-from-home policies in place even after the pandemic is over.

If you have experienced even part of this challenge, you’re not alone! One way to overcome employment challenges is to consider a new field. Finding a new career or starting your own business can help you achieve your goals and realize what it is that brings you the most joy in life.

If you’re starting a new business, you’ll need to consider how you’ll market your products and services, how much funding you’ll need, and professionals you may need to work with to help get your business off the ground. Pay special attention to choosing the right business structure. Many small business owners choose to set themselves up as an LLC due to the protections, tax advantages, and flexibility this structure provides. The easiest way to register your LLC is to use a formation service like ZenBusiness.

Take advantage of software and tools to simplify the process of running your business. Inventory management and accounting software can keep your business running smoothly and help you save on hiring employees. If you’re creating marketing materials or working with internal documents, you may need to edit a PDF’s language and formatting, but revising a PDF can be time-consuming and difficult. Fortunately, you can utilize a PDF to Word converter so you can make these edits in Word and then resave your documents as PDFs.

Childcare Dilemmas

Even if you remain employed throughout the pandemic, you may have experienced challenges concerning childcare throughout this time. When schools were offering remote learning, parents who work outside the home were having a difficult time figuring out who could be home to watch the child. Even parents who are fortunate enough to work from home struggled, as juggling childcare with full-time work at the same time can be difficult.

Just know that you are not alone in this -- and that as the pandemic has worn on, communities are coming together to offer resources, and data suggests that even after the pandemic is over, parents may be shifting to more home-based care opportunities for their kids in the long term.

Changing Your Location

Your to-do list isn’t getting any shorter, and even though there are some things you can put off, not everything can be rescheduled. Some things can’t wait even during COVID-19. For instance, if you’re one of the many who have been impacted personally by job loss as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be considering a move to a different part of the country to pursue other opportunities.

Before deciding where the moving winds will take you, you should do your due diligence and make sure you do enough research about potential locations. Check on real estate trends and prices in the markets where you would want to relocate. If you’re planning on purchasing a new home, review your expenses and income to determine how much you can afford to spend on your mortgage each month. If you’re planning to rent, Atlanta is a diverse city with many job opportunities. Rent.com currently lists almost 1,700 apartments, with a wide variety of units available. Simply filter by price, number of bedrooms, and essential amenities.

Take Advantage of the Opportunity in Adversity

Are you ready to take control of your life and turn these challenges into opportunities? Use the tips above to find a new start!

Gwen Payne is a stay-at-home mom with an entrepreneurial spirit. Over the years, she has mastered raising her two daughters while side hustling to success through small ventures based on her passions -- from dog walking to writing to eCommerce. She is sharing her experience to help other stay-at-home parents.

PREVENTION

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is the nation’s leading organization bringing together people across communities and backgrounds to understand and prevent suicide, and to help heal the pain it causes. Individuals, families, and communities who have been personally touched by suicide are the moving force behind everything we do. Learn more at: www.afsp.org.

Bring Change 2 Mind

Bring Change 2 Mind is a national anti-stigma campaign founded by Glenn Close, The Balanced Mind Foundation, Fountain House, and Garen & Shari Staglin of the International Mental Health Research Organization (IMHRO), aimed at removing misconceptions about mental illness. www.bringchange2mind.org.

College Guide for Students With Psychiatric Disabilities

College students with psychiatric disabilities face unique educational challenges. Dedicated mental health counselors and disability coordinators are available on most campuses, and students can typically seek medical attention. Many students, however, do not know how to get help for their problems. To help students get the assistance they need, BestColleges.com has examined instructional strategies, course accommodations, and other campus services designed to serve this population. Learn more

Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance

The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) is a comprehensive resource for more than 21 million people in the U.S. who live with mood disorders. DBSA offers the Balanced Mind Parent Network, an online support community. www.dbsalliance.org.

Mental Health America of Georgia

Mental Health America of Georgia is dedicated to promoting mental health, preventing mental and substance use conditions, and achieving victory over mental illnesses and addictions through advocacy, education, research, and service. www.mhageorgia.org.

NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS

NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. www.nami.org.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Helps individuals in suicidal crisis to contact the nearest available suicide prevention and mental health service provider through a toll-free phone number. Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-273-8255 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

NIA Project Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science

The Nia Project’s mission is to empower African American women survivors of abuse, experiencing suicidal thoughts to access behavioral health services, find a new sense of purpose, lead more meaningful lives, and affirm their commitment to living a violence-free life. https://psychiatry.emory.edu/niaproject/index.html

Intervention

Resources for accessing treatment needs

CHILD MIND INSTITUtE

An independent, national nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families struggling with mental health and learning disorders. They offer a range clinical care for children, teens and young adults. www.childmind.org

Start your recovery

StartYourRecovery.org provides helpful information for people who are dealing with substance use issues — and their family members, friends, and co-workers, too. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to the challenges faced by those who misuse alcohol, prescription or illegal drugs, or other substances, and SYR aims to break through the clutter to help people at any stage of recovery. Learn more.

Theravive

Theravive is a network of licensed therapists and psychologists committed to helping people receive the best mental health care available. Through building bridges with others, we continually strive to lower mental health stigma. Learn more.