Substance use and mental health disorder recovery resources during the pandemic
The pandemic is creating unique challenges for those faced with substance use and mental health disorders, including those in active recovery. Social isolation can heighten symptoms and cravings. Meanwhile connection – the antidote to isolation, the theme of King County Mental Health Month’s third week, and a cornerstone of many recovery programs – has changed in the face of social distancing.
Before coronavirus, rooms and facilities in communities across the globe were filled with groups of people offering each other resources, tips, and stories of strength and hope. Now, those groups have been asked to stop meeting in-person, to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Fortunately, many recovery groups and facilities have quickly and successfully pivoted to the virtual landscape, while others have maintained or expanded the online or phone-based services they already provided.
Recovery can and does happen, even during a pandemic. Visit the Balanced You blog to learn what online and phone-based resources are available to support you or your loved ones in beginning, returning to, or maintaining recovery.
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On-demand webinar: A conversation on self-care
The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting everyone’s mental health in unique ways. Now, more than ever, self-care and connection are needed.
In recognition of Mental Health Month, Shawna Johnson, Balanced You Employee Health Specialist, and Heather Steffensen, Interim Employee Assistance Program Manager, led “A Conversation on Self-Care.” This live, interactive webinar covered self-care strategies, techniques and tools to reduce stress and anxiety, and benefits and resources available to support King County employees’ mental health.
This webinar, now available on-demand, can be found on the Balanced You blog.
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Featured job: Senior Microbiologist – Public Health Laboratory
Salary: $30.96 – $39.24 Hourly
Location: Seattle, WA
Job Type: Special Duty Assignment or Term Limited Temp (TLT)
Department: DPH – Public Health
Job Number: 2020AB10643
Division: Prevention
Closing: 6/12/2020 11:59 PM Pacific
Learn more about this position or view all available positions.
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Featured job: Pathologist (Disease Control Officer – Associate)
Salary: $182,812.45 – $231,725.73 Annually
Location: Seattle, WA
Job Type: Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week
Department: DPH – Public Health
Job Number: 2020AB11527
Division: Prevention
Closing: Continuous
Learn more about this position or view all available positions.
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Mental Health Month week three: Connecting with others
For the third week of Mental Health month, Balanced You is focusing on the topic “connecting with others.” Social connection helps ward off social isolation and is an important part of mental health. The connections we make with other people enrich our lives and support us through the most difficult times. But, sometimes, it is not easy to know how to make those meaningful, enriching connections, especially during the pandemic.
During the pandemic, you may not be as ambitious about connecting with others as you were pre-pandemic, and that is okay. Still, there are small steps you can take to help maintain connection during this time, using both technology and other resources. Check out the Balanced You blog for more information.
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D.I.Y. face coverings: Tips on making cloth masks from the Public Health Crafter’s Corner
Crossposted from Public Health Insider
A lot has changed since we published our first Public Health Crafter’s Corner in December (where we featured bedazzled hand sanitizer as a surprisingly prescient holiday gift). Since then, crafting has become a way to fill the many hours at home, and now there is urgent need for homemade cloth masks with the directive to wear face coverings in King County.
Fortunately, making your own face coverings isn’t necessarily hard or expensive. We’ve got you covered–so to speak–with Do-It-Yourself ideas, even if you’ve never threaded a needle or touched a glue-gun.
Read more from Public Health Insider
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Remembering and honoring our fallen heroes
Every Memorial Day, in communities across the nation, we honor the brave members of our country’s armed forces who gave their lives to protect our country and our freedom.
As we reflect on the service of our fallen heroes, let us also remember the families they left behind. We honor the memory of those we have lost when we support their spouses and children, and when we help our returning veterans build healthy and successful lives here at home.
On Monday, May 25, I ask you to join me in a moment of remembrance and respect for all who have died in service to our country, and offer our gratitude to all who serve around the world and here at home.
Sincerely,
Dow Constantine
King County Executive
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Advice from EAP during Mental Health Month: Finding safe connection while social distancing
Social distancing is one the strongest tools we have to save lives and slow the spread of the coronavirus. Yet for many of us, the practice is difficult; while social distancing keeps us and others safe, it also challenges our important need for connection.
Whether you live alone or in a home full of people, practicing social distancing can lead to feelings of isolation, which can take a toll on your mental health. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help combat isolation and stay safely connected, both online and offline, to others during this time. Visit the Balanced You blog for more information.
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Mentoring Lunch and Learn online session, May 26
Would you like to have a mentor, someone who can help you grow professionally? Do you want to strengthen your coaching skills? As a Mentee, you will have a trusted advisor who can help you navigate complex situations, and as a Mentor, you can uncover new or forgotten skills and build influence. If the thought excites you, join King County’s Mentoring Program by signing up for a monthly online sessions to uncover more about mentoring and search for a Mentor,
Tuesday, May 26, 2020 from noon to 1 p.m., register here.
This session is live via Zoom. For questions contact Learning and Development at KCTraining@kingcounty.gov.
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Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, May 2020
This year the King County Asian Pacific Islander Affinity Group (API) has developed several events and resources to share API culture, support the API community, and learn more about Asian American and Pacific Islander history.
- Volunteering at Danny Woo Garden, Wednesday, May 27, 2020 from 1-4 p.m. Contact Sung Cho to volunteer.
- Asian Americans PBS Series discussion, Thursday, May 28, 2020 from noon to 1 p.m. Join on Zoom.
The API group has also put together resources to help employees learn how they can better support the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. Consider supporting a local business or produce and flower farm owned or operated by Asian American and Pacific Islander individuals. Employees can also learn more about Asian American and Pacific Islander Leaders and Luminaries in a presentation developed by the API group, viewable here.
Additionally, employees are invited to participate in the API “Thank You Campaign” to send letters of appreciation to King County essential workers. To ensure their letter is included, employees will need to submit their letter directly to Stephanie Santos by Tuesday, May 26.
For questions about these events and for more information, contact Stephanie Santos with the King County Asian Pacific Islander Affinity Group.
Employee News 