Mentally preparing for hurricane season after covid-19

CAPE CORAL, FLA — After living through rising death tolls, a quarantine and an unemployment nightmare, Governor Ron DeSantis recently spoke words many have been hoping to hear.

"We are going to move into, effective Monday, into a full phase one," said DeSantis on May 15.

But right alongside those words, came a few others you probably didn't want to hear, "hurricane season."

"[Tropical Storm] Arthur is still here moving away from North Carolina, likely going to be weakening," said Fox 4 Chief Meteorologist Derek Beasley.

"Feeling stressed when we start seeing radar pictures, satellite images of a hurricane forming isn't abnormal," said Abbe Finn.

But this year, FGCU professor Abbe Finne says that very normal reaction for most people is being amplified because of COVID-19.

Finn says the added stress will likely cause people to respond in one of three ways, "fight, flight or freeze."

She says the first two reactions can actually helpful, but the third one is trouble.

"That person is going to be vulnerable, they're not going to take steps, they're going to refuse to take the recommendations of the experts," said Finn.

If you find yourself freezing up or are struggling mentally, Finn says the best thing you can do is talk to family or friends.

And if you need something more, she adds that you can always call FGCU's counseling center which offers low-cost options based on your income and a free student-run service called "Just Talk About It."

"It's someone that can listen to them and they are supervised by licensed mental health professionals," said Finn.

To sign-up for FGCU's "Just Talk About It" program, you can click here or call 239-745-4778.