ST. LOUIS — As the war continues in Israel, many across the country are finding it difficult to manage and process all of it.
People on both sides of the conflict in the Middle East are struggling.
Mental health professionals said it's more important than ever that people focus on their own well-being.
Molly Dwyer-Simonsen, Mercy Hospital's Outpatient Behavioral Health Services Director, said despite the miles everyone is feeling the impact of the war in Israel.
"We all have some sense of connection, whether it's our humanitarian, political, religious, or our own personal family members or extended family members," she said.
With the horrific videos and images at the touch of our fingertips, Dwyer-Simonsen said people need to focus on disconnecting virtually and connecting physically.
"We need to be mindful of what we're exposing ourselves to, what we're exposing our families to. Be intentional about listening to our minds, our bodies, our feelings," she said.
While we don't know how long it will last, Dwyer-Simonsen said the overseas conflict is a prolonged stressor, which is why we need to focus on latching onto the anchors in our lives.
"Whether it's our faith, our family, our friends, our activities, really grounding ourselves in that self-care during these distressing times," she said.
Jewish Family Services Chief Executive Officer, Miriam Seidenfeld, said they have mental health staff available daily to help people navigate this difficult time.
"It affects all of us. It affects everybody, but again, it affects everybody differently, which is a really important message for your children. Some will know more than others, some are affected differently than others, some need to go about their lives as a way of distraction or dealing, and others need to talk about it and cry and really feel the pain that the world is feeling right now," she said.
According to Seidenfeld, the past week her staff has been busy going out into the community, talking to organizations and being present at community events.
"A group of Holocaust survivors was our first call. People who have been traumatized before and they wanted to make sure when they were coming together for a completely other purpose that was there was somebody there in light of this situation that could support them or direct them to support if they needed it," she said.
While Seidenfeld said anyone can pick up the phone at any time and call Jewish Family Services, she wants to remind all of St. Louis to continue to do what we do best: lean on one another.
"The St. Louis community comes together to celebrate at times of joy, to mourn together at other challenging times and it its exactly what people needed," she said.
5 On Your Side also spoke with the National Advocacy Coordinator for Justice in Palestine over the phone Friday. She said everyone in her community is struggling greatly and they are asking people to reach out to their elected officials to demand the violence stops.
If you need help or want to talk to a mental health professional here are multiple resources you can reach out to:
- Call the Behavioral Health Response ACI Hotline
- 314-469-6644
- 800-811-5760
- Call or text 988
- Call Mercy Behavioral Health Hub
- 314-251-0555
- Call Jewish Family Services
- 314-993-1000