State Mental Health Commissioner Provides Tips & Advice For Adults, Children Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

In an exclusive interview, Oklahoma’s mental health commissioner told News 9 some specific ways we can help alleviate our stress and our children's anxiety amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Governor Kevin Stitt's wife, Sara Stitt, opened up about what that has looked like in her house.

"We all have this...inherently...fear of the unknown," she said. 

First Lady Sarah Stitt may be the governor's wife, but she's also a mom to 6 kids, ranging from a kindergartener to a freshman in college.

"The change I've just seen in my own family. Starting with my college age student who has had to move everything back home. And then all the way down to my little 6-year-old who doesn't understand why the friends he saw every single day five days a week all year, he doesn't understand why he can't go play with him," Stitt said. "So, what we've tried to do is have honest conversations."

And that's exactly what we should all be doing, according to Oklahoma's Department of Mental Health Commissioner Carrie Slatton-Hodges.

"You don't want to over inform a child, but you do want to be able to be open and honest about what it is they are hearing, dealing with and asking," said Slatton-Hodges.

She said to give children the facts and let them lead the discussion. Give them responsibility.

"Even saying when you're wiping down things, ‘you’re a superhero – you’re keeping us safe.’ That's a wonderful thing for a young child to comprehend," Slatton-Hodges said.

We should all think of social distancing more as physical distancing. That's what it is. But aim to keep social connections intact with something as simple as a phone call.

"It's not just crucial for our own health and wellbeing to keep those connections, but also think of it as a gift you'd be giving to someone else cause they'll also be needing that," Slatton-Hodges said.

Focus on the here and now by simply looking at what's around you, like the grass growing and trees budding., this will help you realize that in this moment, you're okay.

"I just want to encourage people that we will get through this. It may not be tomorrow or a week from tomorrow, but we will get through this," Stitt said.

What's important to know is if you feel overwhelmed and you ned to talk to someone for your mental health you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800 -273-TALK. You can also text the word “TALK” to 741741.

For statewide mental health services, click here.

And from our state’s commissioner of mental health, listed below are some tips to help get you through: