Mental health impacts how we think, feel, and act. Being mentally healthy means that you can cope with stress, work productively, maintain strong relationships, and have overall well-being.

Taking care of your mental health can be about taking small steps to stay healthy, or to see a doctor or therapist about a specific condition. It's the same as physical health; it's important to eat well & exercise on regular basis, and it's also important to go to the doctor when you think something is wrong.

Mental health is more important now than ever. In COVID-19, the mental health of many Americans is at risk, with over half of Americans meeting criteria for depression or anxiety.

There are several small habits you can work on every day to maintain your mental health. Here are a few ideas on how to maintain your mental health during these times of social distancing:

• Limit time on social media and watching news.

• Reach out to family and friends.

• Practice mindfulness regularly, such as taking time to meditate, quiet your mind, or notice the things around you.

• Seek help from your doctor or mental health professional if you ever have any concerns.

• Exercise 3-5 times a week for 30 minutes (or as frequently as you can). Exercise can be walking, climbing stairs, lifting heavy items, playing active games, or anything else that gets you moving.

If you notice these symptoms regularly or frequently, you may want to pay closer attention to your mental health or reach out to your primary doctor or a mental health professional.

• Overwhelm

• Feeling hopeless

• Overly strong rage, resentment, or anger

• Fears that interfere with your life

• Apathy or loss of interest

• Anxious or intrusive thoughts

You don't have to wait until you're sick to go to the doctor, and the same is true for therapy! Therapy can help anyone fix bad habits, learn healthy coping skills, work on important goals, improve themselves, and overcome their past. It can also help you treat mental health challenges that you're noticing.

Here are some ways that you can find a therapist:

• Talk to your primary care doctor. They can be the first line of defense for all health concerns, and can screen you for possible conditions and/or provide you with a referral.

• Reach out to a therparist directly by searching through databases like Pyschology Today (the largest database), Therapy for Black Girls, or Therapy for Black Men. Filter by your insurance and other preferences, and set up a short call with them to see if they're a good fit for your concerns.

• Search online for "low cost therapy" near you, to find groups like Open Path Collective that offer low-cost counseling services.

• Contact local universities, as many offer high quality therapy at a reduced cost. In the Washington D.C. area, Washington University of Psychiatry and George Washington University offer these services.

• Conduct therapy over text messages with companies such as BetterHelp or TalkSpace.

If you need urgent support, or if you just want to talk to someone about what to do next, here are some organizations you can reach out to anonymously:

• National Association of Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264 (M-F 10am-6pm)

• Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 (available 24/7)

• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 (available 24/7)

• Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration: 1-800-622-4357 (available 24/7)

• National Eating Disorders Helpline: Visit website for contact options

If you are outside the United States, please search for crisis lines or mental health support lines in your country.