The stay-at-home orders in place in our region are set to expire by the end of the month, but it’s likely they will be extended, as the coronavirus continues to spread. Even after the strictest measures lift, social distancing guidelines will continue to keep infections from flaring back up.

These measures help combat the spread of the coronavirus, but they also take a toll on our mental health.

“We’ve had a drastic change in our daily activities, in our ability to engage in our community and those meaningful interactions for our lives,” said Elizabeth Reinberg, a clinical site supervisor at Provident Behavioral Health in St. Louis. Reinberg is a mental health professional who oversees the services — like individual and family therapy — at the Provident facility in Maryland Heights.

While people experience stressors throughout daily life, the coronavirus pandemic adds to that stress, she explained.

“It is very important that we’re doing some healthy things and healthy strategies for ourselves to keep it from boiling over,” Reinberg said. “Mental well-being needs to be important to every person, not just individuals who may be experiencing signs or symptoms of a diagnosable condition.”

St. Louis Public Radio’s Eric Schmid spoke with Reinberg about why this particular situation is difficult, and provided some strategies and resources for maintaining good mental health during this pandemic.

Click here to hear the complete interview on St Louis Public Radio NPR.

Numbers and links for mental health resources in the St. Louis region.

United Way 2-1-1: dial 2-1-1 

A database of nonprofits and other available resources including mental health, income support, family support and others.

Provident Health 24/7 Crisis Line: 314-647-4357

A local hotline for people in crisis. A mental health expert listens and helps find steps toward overcoming personal challenges.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

A national network of local crisis centers that provide free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.

Casa de Salud Mental Health Collaborative: 314-977-1240 

Local clinical and mental health care to the uninsured, with a special focus on the immigrant community.

The Trevor Project: 866-488-7386

National organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24.