On the front lines of the Covid-19 Mental Health Crisis
July 13, 2020
Foundations Health & Wholeness is on the front lines of the mental health needs in Brown County. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, children and adults are struggling with increased grief, isolation, anxiety, and substance abuse.
“Our neighbors in Brown County are having more emotional distress arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. In the last few weeks, we’ve seen a sharp increase in the number of new client calls,” said Julie Feld, Director of Counseling at Foundations 
Health & Wholeness. Ms. Feld says addressing our collective emotional distress is a two-step process. “The first step in solving this crisis is fighting stigma. Each one of us can fight mental health stigma in our networks by educating ourselves about mental health diagnoses and the resources in our community, understanding our own attitudes about mental health, and supporting people in our lives who may be struggling. The second step is getting help or suggesting a loved one get help. We want people in Brown County to know that we are here for them, and they matter.”
Currently, Foundations is providing most of its mental health services online. Video therapy keeps clients safe and
comfortable and is proving to be just as effective as in-person therapy for most clients.
According to Foundations counselor Kate Bellingar, “I’ve had two clients tell me that it is easier for them to share things over video therapy because eye contact is more difficult and uncomfortable in person. Me being on the screen instead of in person makes it easier. She says she’s more comfortable being in her own familiar space. Another client prefers to use the chat option during video sessions to share things that are harder for them to say out loud. They’ll type, we’ll talk about it, and when something is difficult to say, they’ll type again.”
Foundations is doing limited in-person counseling and in-office telehealth for clients who feel uncomfortable doing therapy at home or who have technology barriers. Foundations adheres to strict safety policies. To learn more about our counseling options, visit our services page.
We are currently accepting new clients
Call (920) 437-8256