CINCINNATI — As people continue to self-isolate, remain at home for longer periods of time and face additional day-to-day stresses brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, like unemployment, good mental health becomes much more difficult to maintain. But you're not alone and the Recovery Center of Hamilton County is here to help.
The organization typically works with individuals struggling with a variety of mental illnesses through wellness classes and counseling services. Now, amid the COVID-19 outbreak, they've moved their counseling options online and made them completely free to help the community through the stresses associated with the pandemic.
"We all have the same anxiety now," said Bill Brown, with the Recovery Center of Hamilton County. "We all have the same worries and we all have the same boredom."
Brown and his team started a video chat peer counseling program at the center and they've recently opened up group and private classes to anyone who may need it.
The Recovery Center is offering around 50 classes a week centering on a multitude of different topics. They're available at times spaced throughout the day to accommodate any schedule, and the sessions are all online and social-distance safe.
"So the cool thing about this, it's more interactive," said Amanda Stoddard, who works at the Recovery Center of Hamilton County. "You can see people. If we don't want video to be shown, you can take off your video. You can remove the video and remove the audio and still be involved."
This ensures anyone with an internet connection can join in on the chats, regardless of technological capabilities, whether attendees have a webcam, or whether people just prefer privacy and anonymity during the sessions.
Anyone can join -- there's no screening process, and the peer counseling is completely free for anyone who may need it. Brown said they're just working to help as many people as they can through a stressful time.
