The stress, anxiety and isolation felt by residents like this couple on the Snohomish Centennial Trail caused by the COVID-19 pandemic prompted Snohomish County to create a counselor outreach program. | Wikimedia Commons
The stress, anxiety and isolation felt by residents like this couple on the Snohomish Centennial Trail caused by the COVID-19 pandemic prompted Snohomish County to create a counselor outreach program. | Wikimedia Commons
Snohomish County created the Community COVID Outreach Counselors Program to help residents cope with how the global pandemic has affected their mental health.
Federal CARES Act funding will support the program for the county’s Department of Human Services. The agency has partnered with Volunteers of America Western Washington, Snohomish County reported.
“We know that pandemics like COVID-19 have a tremendously negative impact on both physical and mental health,” Snohomish County Director of Human Services Mary Jane Brell Vujovic said, the county’s website reported. “We have set up very effective care for those who contract the virus and are striving to do more in providing support to our community members. This new program will help us mitigate the negative outcomes from the stress, anxiety, and depression triggered by the pandemic.”
Snohomish County residents living through the coronavirus pandemic will experience varying degrees of anxiety, trauma, stress and depression. Outreach counselors in the program will connect Snohomish County residents with the resources and services they need to cope with pandemic-related depression, anxiety, stress and trauma, the county reported.
Direct referrals, those from calling 211, friends, family, coworkers, neighbors, teachers any anyone expressing concern can refer residents who need support.
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