Dr. Milo Dodson tells Aj and Mikalah about how to combat a spike in domestic violence and how to treat the loneliness.
Every twenty minutes someone is abused; 1 in 4 women are in abusive relationships and 1 in 9 men are in abusive relationships. Dr. Dodson says to keep in mind that abuse doesn't have to be physical. There is emotional and financial abuse as well. If you are in an abusive relationship, it's important to know that you are not alone in these times and remain open and connected to receiving support.
Have safety plans: who will you call and where are you headed? Have code words for a friend or family member if you think you need to leave the situation.
If you have a family member or friend in an abusive relationship, he says to listen to their feelings and do not blame the victim. It is important to advocate for compassion and to practice empathy and patience.
For combating lonliness during quarantine, Dr. Milo recommends facetiming loved ones and connecting through other apps, but to do it with intention and mindfulness. Create a routine in which you can self reflect, but reach out to others as well. There is a new app called "Quarantine Chat" that allows you to talk to people around the world if you feel alone.
He says it is also important to keep active in the house because when we get our body going, dopamine and other happy chemicals flow through our body.