Pandemic restrictions have had an outsized impact on Skagway’s economy. And if you ask a mental health professional, economic uncertainty can also trigger stress, anxiety, depression, and relapse. Skagway has a couple of options to help combat those issues.
It’s been a year of social distancing and isolation, due to COVID-19. Now the days are getting colder and the nights are getting longer. John Hischer from Skagway’s Dahl Memorial Clinic says that can exacerbate the already isolating experience of addiction recovery. But there are local resources for people who struggle with addiction or mental health challenges.
One of them is the SMART recovery program on Monday evenings from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Skagway Traditional Council building via Zoom.
“SMART stands for self management and recovery training,” HIscher said.
“And so the main objectives of the recovery group is to build and maintain the motivation to change substance use behavior, coping with the urges a lot of managing the thoughts and feelings and behaviors and then how to live a balanced positive, healthy life.
Hischer says the program is for people living with any type of addiction—from drugs and alcohol to eating disorders. Attendees will share experiences, learn about ways to manage addiction, and participate in mindfulness exercises. He says mutual support is a key part of the program.
“A lot of people feel really isolated and alone when they’re battling addiction. And this is a place where they can come together, know they’re not alone, and feel the support from other people in a safe place,” Hischer said.
Hischer says it’s a healthy outlet to process whatever feelings wintertime or the pandemic may bring up.
But it’s not the only resource on offer. The clinic will offer Mental Health First Aid classes this week and next. These are courses for people who are interested in learning the signs and symptoms of depression, anxiety, substance use issues and psychosis.
“So there’s been a huge interest in just helping your neighbor struggling with depression and anxiety. So people are coming to those trainings, in numbers we haven’t seen before. People are getting ready to be able to help themselves, and then also help their neighbors by just recognizing what depression anxiety looks like,” Hischer said.
Mental Health First Aid is a two-class course, from 1 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday.
To attend SMART recovery courses via Zoom, call (253) 215-8782. The meeting ID# is 854 3514 2515 with the password of 292138.
