JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The South Central Human Service Center is reminding everyone that mental health is just as important as general health during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

No cases of COVID-19 have been discovered in Jamestown and Stutsman County, but residents are still being encouraged to follow the CDC guidelines of social distancing, washing your hands, and staying home when you’re sick.

With that in mind, the South Central Human Service Center wants individuals to be mindful of their mental health.

Regional Director Dan Cramer reports that they are seeing clients in a different way with a screening process to ensure their safety and health. He says they are also prioritizing services and crisis services.

He says they’re also continuing to provide service to those who have trouble taking care of basic needs, keeping up that face to face contact with those clients.

Cramer added they have shifted how they see individuals through Telehealth services.

Guidelines continue to be distancing yourself and isolating yourself from people. Cramer says this is opposite what they would normally tell someone with depression or other mental health disorders.

Cramer still encourages people to listen to the news, but not become “obsessed” with that.

If you need to talk to someone, you can contact the South Central Human Services 24/7 hotline at 701-253-6304 or dial 211.