Contribution During Crisis

By Gaan Akers, LPC, NCC | April 22, 2020

Fostering animals, donating to restaurant workers and cooking meals for families in need, are just some of the ways in which the public has contributed during the COVID-19 crisis. I’m sure we’ve all felt helpless at times and the act of helping not only makes us feel good, but also distracts us from our own situation and things that are outside of our control.

This distracting technique is used as a crisis survival strategy. While experiencing thoughts and feelings that we might find overwhelming, focusing on something else can take our mind off our own worries.

Regular visitors to our blog will remember that we talked about contribution as a skill for coping with the holiday season. One holiday season the kids at Hillside made tissue box holders and donated them to senior citizen homes. They really enjoyed meeting the people in the home and seeing their pleasure at receiving an unexpected gift gave the kids a sense of pride.

This act of contributing or giving helped the kids shift their mindset, focusing on developing compassion and also gave them a different perspective on the holiday. Their involvement in the act of giving helped them to calm their own anxieties and enjoy a happy time with others. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the current situation, why not try distracting any anxious thoughts by developing this DBT skill?

There are many ways in which you can contribute right now and it doesn’t have to be costly or time consuming. Here are a few ideas you might like to try to get started with contributing today:

  • Make an extra portion of your daily meal and drop it round to a neighbour
  • Get involved with GA Gives and donate on #GivingTuesday 5th May at https://www.gagives.org/search
  • Hand write a letter or card to let your friends and family know you’re thinking of them
  • Get involved in our #ReframeMentalHealth campaign during May, check out our Facebook and Instagram for details
  • Sewists can sign up to sew facemasks for healthcare workers https://www.wantable.com/sew-good/
  • You can still support local causes even if you’re unable to donate, share their Facebook Appeals, Like their posts and pages and take part in free activities that help them spread the word
  • Want to get involved in volunteering but you’re sheltering in place? Hands On ATL has opportunities to help from home: https://www.handsonatlanta.org/relief#home

There are so many opportunities for us to contribute to our local communities right now, we hope that you will enjoy the experience of developing better mental health for you and your family through giving.

Don’t forget to share photos of your contributing experience with us on Instagram by tagging @hillsideatl

Gaan Akers, LPC, NCC

Hillside Clinical Education & Referral Relations Manager - Gaan has been working with children, adolescents, and families for over 10 years in various settings. In her current role, she provides education and training for mental health professionals, parents, and the community. She lives in Atlanta with her husband. In her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking, climbing, and cooking. She is a donut aficionado and a national park enthusiast!
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