Handling stress and anxiety of coronavirus fears in your county

Error message
In order to filter by the "in queue" property, you need to add the Entityqueue: Queue relationship.-
County News“Don’t let fear overtake the facts” is the most important thing I can say to you about coronavirus fears.Handling stress and anxiety of coronavirus fears in your county
-
County News Article
Handling stress and anxiety of coronavirus fears in your county
“Don’t let fear overtake the facts” is the most important thing I can say to you about coronavirus fears.
As we wake up to an America that is becoming shuttered — schools, churches, theaters, restaurants and businesses all closed or closing for extended periods —our reality has changed dramatically. And even more extreme changes can be anticipated in the coming days.
Learn More
Mental and Interpersonal Hygiene in Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic
We all have a personal threat of contracting coronavirus and the growing realization that the pandemic is rapidly changing our lives in very extreme ways. These developments can and will lead to feelings of threat and fear, panic in some, and post-traumatic stress disorder in the most dramatic cases.
To combat these emotional states in our staff and among the very vulnerable who we serve, several actions will be needed:
- Get the facts out, even if they are unpleasant or difficult. It always is better to be informed with the facts than to allow assumptions, innuendo, and rumors to fuel fear.
- Have an emergency plan of action and share that plan broadly with staff, clients, and your community.
- Maintain ongoing communication with staff and clients, so that an informed point of information is available continuously.
- Hold frequent meetings with staff, even if virtually, so that people can express their concerns, fears and hopes.
- Provide strong emotional support where it is needed and be less demanding about routine performance. Everyone is trying to cope in their own way.
The international coronavirus crisis continues to grow. As of Sunday, there have been about 110,000 known cases in 79 countries, and nearly 4,000 persons have died. Just released research from Harvard University concludes that the mortality rate is about 15 persons per 1,000 infected, under the assumption that only about half of those infected actually are ever identified as cases. In the U.S., as of Sunday, there have been more than 400 cases in 34 states, and 19 persons have died. Great uncertainty also exists about the future course of the infection in the US, which is leading to disruptions in business, travel and the stock market.
More testing kits will become available in the United States this week, which should help to contain and control the disease. However, many more testing kits are needed.
Clearly, this period of great uncertainty can lead to fear and, in some cases, panic. For our behavioral health field, these emotional states can have very detrimental consequences.
For more information, read: Mental and Interpersonal Hygiene in Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic.
“Don’t let fear overtake the facts” is the most important thing I can say to you about coronavirus fears.2020-03-13County News Article2023-04-11
“Don’t let fear overtake the facts” is the most important thing I can say to you about coronavirus fears.
As we wake up to an America that is becoming shuttered — schools, churches, theaters, restaurants and businesses all closed or closing for extended periods —our reality has changed dramatically. And even more extreme changes can be anticipated in the coming days.
Learn More
Mental and Interpersonal Hygiene in Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic
We all have a personal threat of contracting coronavirus and the growing realization that the pandemic is rapidly changing our lives in very extreme ways. These developments can and will lead to feelings of threat and fear, panic in some, and post-traumatic stress disorder in the most dramatic cases.
To combat these emotional states in our staff and among the very vulnerable who we serve, several actions will be needed:
- Get the facts out, even if they are unpleasant or difficult. It always is better to be informed with the facts than to allow assumptions, innuendo, and rumors to fuel fear.
- Have an emergency plan of action and share that plan broadly with staff, clients, and your community.
- Maintain ongoing communication with staff and clients, so that an informed point of information is available continuously.
- Hold frequent meetings with staff, even if virtually, so that people can express their concerns, fears and hopes.
- Provide strong emotional support where it is needed and be less demanding about routine performance. Everyone is trying to cope in their own way.
The international coronavirus crisis continues to grow. As of Sunday, there have been about 110,000 known cases in 79 countries, and nearly 4,000 persons have died. Just released research from Harvard University concludes that the mortality rate is about 15 persons per 1,000 infected, under the assumption that only about half of those infected actually are ever identified as cases. In the U.S., as of Sunday, there have been more than 400 cases in 34 states, and 19 persons have died. Great uncertainty also exists about the future course of the infection in the US, which is leading to disruptions in business, travel and the stock market.
More testing kits will become available in the United States this week, which should help to contain and control the disease. However, many more testing kits are needed.
Clearly, this period of great uncertainty can lead to fear and, in some cases, panic. For our behavioral health field, these emotional states can have very detrimental consequences.
For more information, read: Mental and Interpersonal Hygiene in Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic.

About Ron Manderscheid (Full Bio)
Executive Director, National Association of County Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Directors
Ron Manderscheid is the executive director of the National Association of County Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Directors and the National Association for Rural Mental Health and an adjunct professor in the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.More from Ron Manderscheid
-
Reports & Toolkits
COVID-19 Recovery Clearinghouse
The COVID-19 Recovery Clearinghouse features timely resources for counties, including allocation estimations, examples of county programs using federal coronavirus relief funds, the latest news and more.
-
County News
Collaboration helps Dallas County, Texas reduce homelessness
Dallas County, which has the largest population of people experiencing homelessness in Texas, is working with local governments and non-profits to combat the crisis through the R.E.A.L. Time Rehousing program. -
County News
Mental Health Summit explores innovative solutions
Counties must leverage intergovernmental partnerships, expand their crisis response and invest in a behavioral health workforce to combat the country’s mental health crisis, according to leaders and experts at the local and state level. -
County News
Investing in anti-poverty programs helps decrease child neglect, abuse
Counties investing in supportive services for low-income families greatly improves children’s well-being and decreases neglect, according to national experts, county leaders and federal officials. -
Blog
HHS proposes changes to federal child care subsidy program
On July 13, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking with significant updates to the regulations governing the Child Care Development Fund. -
Blog
USDA issues implementation guidance for new SNAP requirements
On June 30, the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued guidance for states implementing changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) authorized earlier that month under the Fiscal Responsibility Act. -
Reports & Toolkits
The County Role in Food Systems
Among our numerous responsibilities, serving as the front line of the social safety net is a primary function of county governments to ensure healthy, safe and vibrant communities for our residents.
Contact
-
Executive Director, National Association of County Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Directors
Related Resources
-
Blog
The County Countdown – September 26, 2023
Every other week, NACo’s County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items with an eye towards counties and the intergovernmental partnership. Watch the video and explore NACo resources below on some of the top issues we're covering this week. -
County News
‘Dr. Drew’ applauds progress in mental health care, but ‘still progress to be made’
“It’s not that hard to treat,” Pinsky said of the mental health crisis. “We just need the resources, we need the beds, we need the psychiatrists.” -
County News
Two-county solution offers urban Nevada kids a rural retreat
Clark County, Nevada youths now have access to a new 4-H camp in neighboring Lincoln County, which will retain jobs it would have lost when a corporate retreat center closed.
-
Reports & Toolkits
Legislative Toolkit for Counties: Priorities for Strengthening the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
This toolkit provides an overview of the county role in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), federal policy priorities for ensuring SNAP is effectively serving county residents and the current legislative and administrative outlook for program reforms. -
Reports & Toolkits
The County Role in Food Systems
Among our numerous responsibilities, serving as the front line of the social safety net is a primary function of county governments to ensure healthy, safe and vibrant communities for our residents. -
Reports & Toolkits
The County Human Services and Education Landscape
Counties invest heavily in residents’ health and well-being, often serving as the ultimate safety net for low-income residents. This toolkit provides an overview of the county role in federal human services and education programs that help vulnerable residents thrive.
More From
-
ARPA Impact Report: An Analysis of How Counties are Addressing National Issues With Local Investments
With American Rescue Plan funds, counties are strengthening America’s workforce, addressing the nation’s behavioral health crisis, expanding broadband access, improving housing affordability and building prosperous communities for the next generation.
Learn More