Gov. Phil Scott on Friday urged Vermonters to take care of their mental health, seek help if needed and to check in on others during the coronavirus pandemic, which Scott called "among the most stressful events” most people have endured in his lifetime.

"It’s been so prolonged and we don’t know when it will end," he said at his biweekly virus briefing. “It's forced us to be physically and emotionally separated from the people closest to us, those we typically rely on during challenging times.”

Vermonters who are feeling COVID fatigue, the loss of getting together with others or the anxiety and pressure of a job loss or financial struggles are not alone, the Republican governor said.

"These are reasonable, normal responses to a very abnormal event,” Scott said.

He urged Vermonters to reach out to loved ones by phone, video, email or text to maintain connections whether they're feeling these feelings or not and said resources are available for people struggling with mental health or substance misuse.

“There is no shame in seeking help no matter how serious or insignificant you think the issue might be,” Scott said.

The pandemic and Vermont’s response to it has come with significant disruptions, sacrifice and strain to people’s daily lives, from changing routines, juggling child care and working, to stress in isolation, the loss of loved ones, and worries about the future, said Sarah Squirrell, commissioner of the Vermont Department of Mental Health.

This time may be particularly challenging for those who already experience mental health challenges, LGBTQ youth, minority populations, frontline workers, first-responders and older Vermonters, she said.

People experiencing stress, depression and anxiety may use alcohol and drugs more, she said, adding that data shows an increase in opioid-related deaths compared to last year. She urged people not to use alone, if possible, saying they are at a higher risk of overdose.

Vermont Helplink is a free and confidential referral service to connect people to resources and substance use treatment, she said. It can be accessed online or by calling 802-565-LINK.

Among the free and confidential mental health supports is COVID Support VT, created by the Mental Health Department and Vermont Care Partners to help people cope with the pandemic, with information, wellness tips and advice and information about the state's 10 community health agencies, she said. People may also access help by calling 211 and many agencies are offering services through tele-health, she said.

Vermonters may also access the crisis text line by texting VT to 741741 for immediate counseling and support via text message, she said Anyone struggling with thoughts of suicide should call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, she said.

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THE NUMBERS

Vermont reported 73 new cases of the coronavirus on Friday for a statewide total to date of 4,763.

A total of 29 people were hospitalized with COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus, with three in intensive care.

Vermont reported its highest number of daily cases on Thursday at 178. Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine said Friday that that number had increased to 224 cases with the addition of 36 cases from the University of Vermont Medical Center, which had been delayed in reporting cases from last week.

“While some of these cases should have been reported as far as November 21, it’s clear the virus is widespread and very active right now,” Scott said.

Friday's total of 73 daily cases included six more of the delayed cases from UVMMC, Levine said.

It's still too early to tell what the impact of Thanksgiving will be but in current case interviews and contract tracing the Health Department has learned so far “that there is not a major impact of holiday Thanksgiving gatherings," Levine said.