Maine Forum on Emotional Wellness During the Pandemic, January 27
This Thursday, January 27, from 6-7:15 p.m., join the Maine Public Health Association and partners for a virtual conversation about COVID-19 in Maine, and education on — and strategies to improve — emotional well-being. during the pandemic.
What: As we continue to experience the many changing faces of the COVID-19 pandemic, we understand that people are frustrated by conflicting information and what sometimes looks like ever-changing advice, according to MPHA, in A press release. These frustrations can be overwhelming and stressful for people of all ages, in all corners of Maine. The forum will begin with an overview of updated COVID-19 guidance and delve deeper into aspects of emotional well-being, including effective coping strategies.
Who should attend? : Anyone suffering from stress related to the pandemic or caring for others, and who could benefit from connecting with other Mainers and exploring coping strategies by experts.
When: Thursday, January 27, 2022, from 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.
Where: Zoom (Register here: https://mecap.org/events)
No cost
Speakers: Dr. Nirav Shah, Erik Eisele, Arabella Perez and Abigail Young
Dr Nirav Shah is director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Shah will open the forum with a synopsis of updated advice and an overview of how Maine is doing through this latest surge of the pandemic. There will be time for questions and answers right after his speech.
Erik Eisele works at the Maine Office of Behavioral Health, where he runs programs to support people suffering from pandemic-related stress. Her presentation will discuss the pandemic, pandemic-related stress, free resources available to individuals and organizations to help navigate the current moment, and other aspects of stress management and resilience. Stress reactions can vary depending on personal characteristics, experiences, roles and resources. Cultivating resilience during a pandemic can be difficult for some. Even the ways we coped may have changed because of the pandemic. Cultivating resilience requires some thought while tapping into skills that can help regulate your nervous system and weather waves of uncertainty. Focusing on emotions can help clarify what we are feeling, name it, and find ways to deal with it.
Arabelle Perez is a 30-year-old licensed clinical social worker and therapist. Arabella will discuss and model some of the concepts covered in this brief presentation.
Abigail Young is a junior at Ellsworth High School. Abigail will wrap up the forum by talking about some of the challenges she and other Maine students face, some strategies that have helped, and some challenges that still need attention.
Sponsors: This forum is brought to you by Maine Community Action Partnership, The Opportunity Alliance, Maine Public Health Association, Center for Excellence in Public Health at UNE and the Maine Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics
Questions? Please contact Dee Kerry, Executive Director of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Maine Chapter at dee.kerry@maineaap.org; or Maureen Leary, COVID-19 Program Manager, Maine Community Action Partnership at mleary@mecap.org.
