With the rapid changes in healthcare, virtual schooling and job losses, Michigan as well as other states have been going through a lot. And state leadership has noticed, so they’re taking action with a free online tool that may help.
In April, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced a partnership with Headspace, a leader in mindfulness and meditation, and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to provide a new mental health resource for state residents.
Michiganders can now access a variety of wellness solutions at www.headspace.com/MI while the “Stay Safe, Stay Home” and related quarantines are enforced. These include:
* A collection of science-backed, evidence-based guided meditations
* At-home workouts that guide people through mindful exercises
* Advice on how to get better sleep and
* Kid-focused content to help address rising stress and anxiety.
“Michiganders have faced an unprecedented crisis over the past month, and in these uncertain times having access to mental health resources is crucial,” Whitmer said in a statement announcing the partnership.
“This virus has taken a toll on Michiganders’ physical and mental health. While we all stay home and stay safe, it is so important take the time to check in and take care yourself. Michiganders are tough, but having access to tools like this one will help us all get through this together,” Whitmer said.
In studies and journals Headspace has been shown to have good outcomes in reducing stress, increasing compassion and decreasing aggression. Headspace has also worked to make its digital mental health tools more accessible to those who need it most during the COVID-19 pandemic from healthcare providers, educators, caregivers, businesses and people around the world.
“While Michiganders are working together to take the necessary steps to safeguard their physical health and safety, it’s also critical that we protect our mental health,” Rich Pierson, co-founder and chief executive officer of Headspace, said in the statement. “We want to be there for the people of Michigan and do our small part in helping them cope with rising levels of stress and anxiety during this public health crisis.”
Reaching more than 65 million users in 190 countries, Headspace was one of the first meditation apps in the world and remains a leader in mindfulness and mental training. Headspace also operates a B2B business (Headspace for Work) to offer its mindfulness products and services to more than 700 companies, such as Starbucks, Adobe, GE, Hyatt and Unilever, to help them build healthier, more productive cultures and higher performing organizations.
Moreover, Headspace partners with government entities like New York State to offer mental health resources to its residents as well as many of the world’s most-recognizable brands, including Apple, Amazon and more.
In addition, MDHHS has taken steps to provide mental health resources during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the recently launched warmline that connects Michiganders living with persistent mental health conditions to certified peer support specialists.
The warmline operates 10 a.m. to 2 a.m., seven days a week at 888-PEER-753 (888-733-7753). The department has also published several guides in support of the emotional health of older adults, children, health care providers, first responders and others who may have unique needs when processing the impacts of this pandemic. Those can be found on the Resources section of MDHHS coronavirus website.
The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.
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