To Our Partners and Clients,                                                                         July 29, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting every single one of us.

This is a challenging time for people and businesses around the globe. While many of us are feeling uncertainty in our lives, I have every confidence that we will rise up to the challenges this crisis presents and come out stronger on the other side.

The well-being, health, and safety of people remains our top priority. We are doing everything we can to keep our employees and communities safe while we continue to support our clients and do our part to help combat this pandemic.

We are currently restricting employee travel and limiting our Family Support workers, Wraparound Services and Truancy Court officers the ability to work outside the office to mitigate potential exposure and slow the spread of the virus.

Therapy and in home services continue to be done by Telehealth, Zoom, Google Duo and FaceTime.

This crisis—its scale and its severity—has taken the world and us by surprise. I have been so inspired by how our team here at Desert View has come together in this challenging time to adapt, improvise, and innovate.

From working together on healthcare solutions that can make a difference in our local communities to exercising more patience, compassion, and understanding, everyone is going over and above, and we thank you from the bottom of our heart.

I once heard a quote that rings true for today … “You can only see as far as your headlights, however you can make the whole trip that way.” And that’s all we can do- just go day by day until we’re on the other side of this pandemic.

We are truly grateful for your support and partnership during this time as we all face this unprecedented challenge together.

Thank you so much for continuing to trust us with the care of you and your family!

Rick Quevedo, CEO

https://zoom.us/signin Click this link to “download Zoom” for free (available for desktop and phone).

Wednesday April 28th Substance Abuse at 1:30

Thursday April 29th -Life Skills/ Anger Management at 1:30

Be sure to stay on track with your requirements, spite the pandemic.

The day before group we will send you a seperate link (via text ) and that is how you will participate.

https://pulltogether.org/

RESOURCES MAP NOW AVAILABLE

You can now see a map view of the various resources to support children, youth and families available throughout New Mexico. The map includes names and locations of different service providers and more detailed information.

https://pulltogether.org/resources-by-county

What is PullTogether?

As New Mexicans, we are all responsible for making our state a great place to grow up. We may face challenges, but our strong communities and diverse cultures make it possible to give all children the love, support, and guidance they deserve.

PullTogether is about enlisting parents, families, community members, and young people in the fight to make sure our children are safe, cared for, and ready to succeed.

If we all work together, we can make New Mexico the best place to be a kid.

Support for Parents

“When I feel myself losing patience with my kids, it really helps to take 5 minutes of alone time to calm down.”

“I plan small breaks for myself throughout the day, like listening to relaxing music or taking a walk outside with my baby. It helps keep stress from building up.” 

“I lose my patience more quickly when I’m worried about things other than my kids, like work or friends. Acknowledging that keeps me from taking it out on them.”

For more advice from parents who have been there before, click here.prevnext

HELP AND ADVICE FOR NEW MEXICO PARENTS

Being a parent is hard. But you don’t have to do it all on your own.

• Feeling frustrated? Get advice from parents who have done it before.
• Find child care in your area here. You may qualify for financial assistance—find out more.
• New parents may qualify for a free parenting coach. Learn more about free home visiting programs. 
• Need expert help with homework? Log on to Brainfuse for one-to-one, online homework help.
• Having fun with your family doesn’t have to break the bank. Click here to find low-cost family activities. 
• We all have the power to stop tragedies before they happen. Give a child a voice.
• Nobody should have to feel scared in their own home. If you do, reach out for help.  
• Summer months mean more mouths to feed at home. Find out where to get free meals for kids.
• To find other resources in your area, click here.

Don’t see what you need? Call PullTogether at 800-691-9067, email us at info@pulltogether.org, contact your local community hub, or see what’s happening in our online community forum.

What is PullTogether?

As New Mexicans, we are all responsible for making our state a great place to grow up. We may face challenges, but our strong communities and diverse cultures make it possible to give all children the love, support, and guidance they deserve.

Community Hotlines

If you need immediate assistance or feel that you or your child is in danger, call 911.

While the outbreak of COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) has created a great physical health concern, it has also created a large mental health concern as a result of the increased fear and anxiety connected with it.  It is important that along with taking preventative and precautionary steps to protect ourselves from the infection, that we take steps to protect out mental health as well.

We have included information and tips for the following groups:

• General Population
• Individuals Receiving Mental Health Services
• Parents and Caregivers of Children and Caregivers of Elderly Individuals
• Mental Health Providers and First Responders

General Population:

Anxiety and fear are normal reactions to stress and danger, but during a pandemic the levels can spiral out of control.  It is important to ensure that you monitor these levels and track increasing levels of anxiety and fear. 

1. Normal stress reactions are to be expected with the increasing worry connected to COVID-19. Some normal stress reactions are the following:
   1. Change in activity levels.
   2. Decreased efficiency and effectiveness.
   3. Difficulty communicating.
   4. Increased sense of humor/gallows humor.
   5. Irritability, outbursts of anger, frequent arguments.
   6. Inability to rest, relax, or let down.
   7. Change in eating habits.
   8. Change in sleep patterns.
   9. Increased focus on cleanliness or infection.

When stress and fear interfere with your ability to do daily tasks and normal reactions become extreme or prolonged, this should be addressed with outside support and professional help.

• There are several daily items which can serve to reduce anxiety and fear during the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Shelter in Place Order.
  • Washing hands, using hand sanitizer, carrying hand sanitizer with you, and social distancing to reduce worry of infection.
  • Setting up options for working remotely.
  • Setting schedules and prepare for the next 7 days, but being flexible and willing to change plans as needed will help with a sense of normalcy.
  • Reference and research information you read on social media to prevent increased worry.
  • Practice self-care and include items such as: exercise, healthy eating, time with family, connecting with friends virtually, focusing on the positive moments.
• Avoid increased alcohol or substance use to avoid anxiety and stress or to assist with difficulties sleeping.
• If the anxiety and fear become overwhelmingly strong and prolonged, you feel hopeless, or have thoughts of self-injury or suicide, seek help immediately by calling the Mental Health Resources, Inc. Crisis Hotline at 1-800-432-2159 or the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
• Practicing grounding, mindfulness exercises, meditation, and relaxation techniques can be helpful.

Individuals Receiving Mental Health Services

It is important to contact your mental health provider and schedule a time to speak with them as soon as possible. 

1. Identify coping skills and mindfulness exercises which will assist you with reducing anxiety and managing your stress or fear during difficult times.
   1. Identify a therapeutic plan to ensure that you are able to continue mental health services during the crisis.  (Referral to a different provider, phone or tele-video sessions, health home/care coordination services.)
   1. Request refills of medication to ensure that if there is a service interruption, medication refills are on hand with your pharmacy.
   1. Identify additional support systems.  Connecting with support groups, friends, and family who can provide non-judgmental support can be key in anxiety provoking times.
   1. Mental Health Resources, Inc. will be providing services during all levels of the CODVID-19 crisis via telephone or tele-video for therapeutic and psychiatric appointments, and crisis services through the MHR Crisis Line, 1-800-432-2159.

Parents and Caregivers of Children and Caregivers of Elderly Individuals

Parents and Caregivers will face a special challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic.  It is important to acknowledge that there are two major types of challenges you will likely face; addressing your own feelings, and challenges addressing the crisis with those you care for (elderly, child, mentally disabled)

1. Gauge the need and level of information to share and how to best discuss the changes and events that are occurring.  Almost all children as young as grade school have heard the term Coronavirus or COVID-19 and have heard individuals talk about the crisis and what is happening in our nation.  Children respond more to how a parent shares information that what is shared and as such making sure that you are prepared, understanding, and confident when discussing the topic with them is key. 
   1. Use words and terms that are age appropriate and share the level of information that they need to hear and providing information that is beyond what is asked for by the children.  Don’t give blind reassurance or dismiss the negative, but avoid oversharing. 
   1. Younger children will be less likely to understand what is going on or why the changes have occurred.  Older children will be more aware how the world works and be more inclined to seek their own information in the absence of information provided by caregivers and parents.  For the elderly and/or mentally disabled, assessment of what level of information will be understood will be a case by case item.
2. Set boundaries related to access of information that is viewed.  Unfortunately, in the age of 24-hour news and social media there is a lot of wrong information online and this can cause undue anxiety and fear.  Additionally, there is also the need to guard against information overload and constant updates.  Limiting the amount of time spent online and watching news while being more available and discussing what any concerns.
3. With elderly or mentally handicapped, they may have a difficult time understanding what is explained.  Focus on helping them understand the changes, not focus on the causes, if mental capacity is an issue, but this is a case by case issue to be assessed.
4. Those in long-term care facilities may feel isolated, especially if they are used to daily visits from loved ones.  Understand that the absence will most likely increase anxiety and feelings of loneliness, so make accommodations that can support the mental health of those individuals. Find ways which you can interact and visit with them by phone or virtually. 
5. Young children may feel overwhelmed and overly anxious when expected to not attend school, see friends, play sports, etc. Remember to remain calm in interactions and not let the stress of the situation to impact how you react.
6. Connected to anxiety, watch for signs of depression and/or hopelessness. Make sure children and adults you care for know you are available to talk, and if needed, seek professional help by contacting the MHR Crisis Line, 1-800-432-2159, or an outpatient provider.
7. Make sure you take time for you.  As the caregiver you can only help reduce anxiety of those you care for by addressing your own anxiety and stress.  (See General Population Section.)

Mental Health Providers and First Responders

As professionals used to high stress jobs and situations we often forget or pretend that we are not impacted by events such as the current COVID-19 pandemic.  Make sure that you assess and address your own stress, anxiety, and fear around events.

1. Prepare yourself for the impact that dealing with the anxiety and stress of those you encounter as part of your professional role will have on you.  Prepare yourself for what you will see, hear, and experience and have plans for how to share and address these items.
2. Make self-care a priority, this includes:
   1. Physical health: adequate sleep and rest, health diet and not skipping meals, exercise, and assessment of physical impact for your body.
   1. Mental health: making sure to take time away, maintaining social connections, separating work and home life, peer supports and peer interactions.
3. Work with coworkers, superiors, and supporting agencies to assist with contingency plans as needed and possible.  Options to consider are items such as working virtually, employing crisis management services, working rotating shifts, and coordination of support to family members as needed.
4. Remember you are human and to seek professional help if you become overwhelmed by what you experience or vicarious traumatization.  It is crucial that you protect your own mental health and address your own anxiety, fear, and stress.

Desert View Family Counseling is actively monitoring the evolving COVID-19 situation and diligently following guidelines provided by the Center for Disease Control, New Mexico Department of Health, and the Children, Youth and Families Department.

We are prioritizing the safety of clients, staff, and community members, in order to support the best public health outcomes.

As of Monday March 23rd, our facilities ( in Farmington and Gallup) will no longer be open to the public. Therapy Services will continue to offered by phone, by ZOOM (which is a free app. for any kind of phone or laptop).

All in home programs, to include Family Support Services Workers, Supervised Visitation & Exchange Monitors, Truancy Court Officers and Wraparound Facilitators will also be limited to phone visits or ZOOM applications as well.

The following precautions are in place at Desert View Family Counseling:

Access to Desert View facilities, (the main clinic on East Main), Family Support Services (on N. Butler), Families First (on Behrend Dr) and our Gallup Family Support Services office, will not be open to the public. Nor will we be providing in-home visits, supervised visits or transportation for any of our field programs.

The acceptance of In-Kind donations is temporarily suspended aside from sealed packages of wipes and diapers (which our need for is critical).

All Staff will assist and support families in addressing the mitigation strategies identified by the CYFD, NM DOH, and the CDC.

These precautions will continually be assessed and adjusted as the situation continues to evolve. We will continue to make changes to programming and provide updates to our community as quickly as possible.

Fore more information on the evolving visit the following pages:

https://cyfd.org/

https://cyfd.org/news/news/coronavirus-covid-19-fact-sheet

https://nmhealth.org/

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html

Thank you for helping keep our community healthy and safe!

Best Regards,

Rick Quevedo,
CEO

If someone you know is thinking about suicide…

1.    Take it seriously, even if your friend brushes it off. Suicidal ideation (continual suicidal thoughts) is not typical, and it reflects a larger problem.
2.    An angry friend is better than a dead friend.
3.    Ask, listen, tell, if the threat is immediate stay with the person.
4.    Bring friend to a trusted adult. If they don’t know what to do or don’t take it seriously find another adult.
5.    Be a good listener but remember that having suicidal thoughts reflects a bigger underlying problem such as depression, substance problems, abuse, or problem-solving difficulties.               You can listen, but they need to speak to a professional.
6.    Thirty percent (30%) of those who attempt suicide tell someone before, but many don’t tell anyone after.

• When some talks to you, that is the moment for intervention
• With each suicide attempt, risk of suicide increases.

7. Warning Signs

• Change in mood: sadness, anxiety, irritability
• Change in behavior: isolation
• Change in sleep
• Change in appetite
• Increase in aggression or impulsiveness
• Agitation
• Feeling hopeless or worthless
• Saying things like “No one will miss me” or “You’ll be better off” (feeling like a burden)
• Feeling ashamed or humiliated, or desperation, as after a break-up or test
• Collecting means
• Talking about wanting to kill themselves
• Drop in grades
• Risk-taking
• Giving away prized possessions

Find help fast

• In an emergency, call 911.
• Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to talk to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area at any time (National Suicide Prevention Lifeline).
• If you are outside of the U.S., please visit the International Association for Suicide Prevention for a database of international resources.

Where to go: Psychiatric hospital walk-in clinic; hospital emergency room; urgent care center or clinic- Desert View’s crisis line is 505-947-4471