A Greater Cincinnati counseling center is starting a new program to help people process their grief and move forward with a better coping plan during the pandemic.
The program at the Lindner Center of HOPE is described as a five-day residential restart for people who normally would be able to manage life's stressors, but given the current crisis, have a heightened sense of anxiety and maybe some symptoms of depression.
Director of Residential Services Dr. Mikaela Peavy says mental struggles with the coronavirus may also play out in binge eating, internet misuse and substance abuse. A recent study found alcohol sales are up 55% during COVID-19 and online alcohol sales have increased 243% since last year.
"We really wanted to hone in and focus on those individuals who were normally functioning just fine before the crisis but now they're starting to see that they are struggling more than they thought they would given this current situation," Peavy says.
Patients will participate in individual and group sessions and see a psychiatrist, a psychologist, an anxiety specialist and services from spiritual care.
"Rather than focusing on all the things we've lost, what we really want to do is focus on how can we be stronger and more resilient as a result of this crisis," Director of Therapeutic Services Dr. Laurie Little says.
She hopes patients return home even stronger than they were before.
The Lindner Center of HOPE says it doesn't require a referral and it will submit claims to insurance.
