Mental health experts, sports figures 'Team-Up to Cope with Covid'

Social distancing, self-isolation, working from home — or no work at all — have added to the mental health challenges people face during the covid-19 crisis. And the postponement of public events and sports seasons has taken away what would certainly be welcome distractions.

With these elements in mind, Embrace Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation on Friday held a virtual launch of “Team-Up to Cope with Covid,” a public awareness campaign aimed at helping individuals and families address their emotional well-being.

Special emphasis was placed on reminding people that it’s OK to ask for help.

In a video conference call, Cindy Citrone, founder of Embrace Pittsburgh and a former pediatric occupational therapist, called on a panel of experts. They included Dr. Kenneth Nash, chief psychiatrist for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pittsburgh Penguins.

Nash urged people with serious mental health symptoms to call their health care provider immediately or go to the emergency room to be evaluated and helped.

“Surviving the emotional toll of this pandemic will require a high threshold of support in an isolated environment for most people,” said Nash in a prepared statement. “We are all here to help.”

Among those offering advice and support was Dr. Carla Chugani, assistant professor in the University of Pittsburgh Department of Pediatrics, and a therapist at UPMC Western Behavioral Health. Chugani said it’s important for people to develop a strong set of coping skills during the pandemic.

One of the skills she highlighted involved finding “small silver linings” in these extremely challenging times.

“Some of my silver linings recently are that I get to spend a lot more time with my partner than I usually do. I’m getting to devote a lot more attention to my garden. I get to wear sweatpants to most of my meetings now,” said Chugani. “But it can really be anything, no matter how small, that you can find that’s positive about your life.”

Former Penguins player and current NHL broadcaster Colby Armstrong, one of the panelists, talked about discovering his own set of small silver linings as he and his children remain quarantined at home.

“It’s different with four kids all under the age of 9 and all of them at home right now,” Armstrong said. “Keeping them busy and keeping them on a schedule is definitely challenging, but if there’s one thing I really enjoy it’s lying on the couch and snuggling with my kids. I really appreciate that time.”

Armstrong said he’s helping his children with their own coping skills.

“We’ve done that around the house, decluttering our lives, sorting out certain areas where they have their own space, whether it’s to read or do something on their own,” Armstrong said.

“Day to day, we’re so rushed with school and activities. And right now we have this time to slow things down and think about what’s important and what you really need.”

Citrone said it’s important to remember that feeling stressed and not always knowing how to cope is normal during a pandemic.

“So much around us has changed and we’re adjusting to a new normal,” said Citrone, who announced that a short-form video series called “MindHack” is available. It features Pittsburgh sports stars sharing “thoughtful (and fun)” coping skills. Citrone and her husband, Rob, hold minority ownership in the Pittsburgh Steelers. She is a Bethel Park native and Rob Citrone, a hedge fund manager, grew up in Latrobe.

Embrace Pittsburgh will donate $4.12 (representing the Pittsburgh area’s primary telephone area code) each time a “MindHack” video is shared from Embrace Pittsburgh’s Facebook page or website, creating a total contribution of up to $41,200 to the Pittsburgh Foundation’s Emergency Action Fund.