Mental health issues still being addressed during pandemic

Blytheville’s Health Clinic coordinator Mike Patterson and the Blytheville clinic school-based coordinator Amy Inman with the Mid-South Health Systems spoke at Blytheville Mayor James Sanders’ press conference Wednesday.

Patterson said if people are dealing with anxiety or depression, they can reach out to the clinic. He also mentioned parents who see their children stressing more or having behavioral issues can call the Health Clinic.

The Health Clinic is still offering appointments for individuals and families. However, Patterson stated that the clinic is not having group sessions at this time.

One may call the Health Clinic in Blytheville at (870) 763-2139. There is also a 24-hour crisis line for those who feel they are a danger to themselves; it is 1-800-356-3035. Another number to call is the 24-hour warm line, which is (833) 236-2131. This number may not be for people in a crisis but those who need someone to talk to.

Inman stated with routines being off for children and not being able to speak with their friends their behavior may change.

To combat the changing of behaviors, Inman stated they are continuing to provide outpatient services, offering face-to-face at the clinic, in-home services and telecommuting.

Inman added ways to support children during this time include setting routines and providing age appropriate information. She also encouraged to have phone and video calls with loved ones and friends or write letters or cards to grandparents.

Phyllis McClendon, executive director of the Haven of Northeast Arkansas, Inc., was also in attendance at Wednesday’s conference and stated that the Haven’s hotline crisis calls have increased approximately 17 percent since the middle of March.

McClendon stated the Haven in Blytheville is one of 32 domestic violence shelters in the state of Arkansas that is open 24/7.

She added that the shelter has made a few modifications during this time.

These modifications include the main office on Main Street is available through appointment only, the applicants are sanitizing the building and people will have to go through a brief interview before coming to the shelter.The numbers for the Haven are (870) 532-6669 and 1-800-474-1064 and are both available 24/7.

Blytheville Police Chief Ross Thompson, along with Mayor Sanders, stated that the city is not on lockdown or curfew, however, there is still a curfew for juveniles in place.

The juvenile curfew is from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. on weekdays and midnight to 5 a.m. on weekends.

“When we are talking about curfews that are being put on now, we are talking about curfews from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.,” said Sanders. “You need to be in bed anyway. We are not doing things just on a knee-jerk. We are not trying to put anything against our children, because if we see a child out at 10 o’clock alone in an area where that child is not supposed to be, we are going to stop them and we are going to find out what’s going on anyway, because there may be a family in need of services.”