Dear friends,
As the state of Virginia further reopens, I want to touch base with you about how The Women’s Initiative is providing care to the community. Following the American Psychological Association’s recommendation, we will continue telehealth as much as possible to reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission. While we are actively evaluating when and how we can offer some types of care in person again, we believe that for now the safety and health of our clients is best served by continuing virtual care through at least Labor Day, as was previously announced. If we do decide to offer any in-person care after Labor Day, we will make that announcement in August. Our plan is informed not only by the APA guidelines, but also the voices of our clients, who have provided overwhelmingly positive feedback about their experience accessing care with us via phone and video.
Since we closed our physical offices on March 16, we have connected hundreds of women to care via telehealth. Our Call-in Clinics have provided vital support each week. As one client wrote recently: “I am forever grateful for the services I have been receiving from you. You are a lifesaver…I can't even imagine how I would've managed everything during this pandemic without your benevolent help.” Support groups and mind-body programs via Zoom have also been well attended, including the Calm & Connection Support Group, Community Healing Sessions with Sister Circle, and Deep Breathing for Relaxation. If you have feedback about how The Women’s Initiative could better suit your needs, please be in touch with me directly.
We are living through a time of loss, of change, of challenge, and at the same time our experiences may be utterly unique from our neighbors'. Yet, we share resilience, and the capacity to transform challenges into growth for ourselves and our community. Acknowledging our feelings of fear, uncertainty, hopelessness, and overwhelm strengthens mental health. Protesting racial injustice strengthens mental health. Taking time for calm and restoration strengthens mental health. Reaching out for help strengthens mental health. For more information about our current offerings, see our Coronavirus Resource page. For self-care ideas for Black women, click here. For ways you can support your mental health through the pandemic, click here.
Much love,
Elizabeth Irvin, LCSW
Executive Director, The Women’s Initiative