As the world struggles anew to contain COVID-19, concerns are growing regarding its long-term impact on mental health. Factors, such as:
Hospitalization
Long COVID symptoms
Exposure and Quarantine
Willingness and access to get vaccinated
Mask mandates
Lengthy unemployment or underemployment
Working from home
Insecurity related to basic needs
Inadequate childcare
Misinformation and politicization
Are increasing experiences of:
Domestic violence
Separation and divorce
Crisis hotline use
Overdoses and deaths from alcohol and drugs
Suicide
Anxiety
Depression
Postpartum Mood Disorders
Isolation
Overwhelm
High blood pressure
As we enter a new chapter of this pandemic, it will be imperative to
Increase trauma-focused care and training
Increase mental health providers and access
Ensure that mental health parity is enforced
Strengthen telehealth platforms and peer support
Help children access the mental health resources outside of schools
Create systems of support for health and mental health workers and first responders and hotline workers to address burnout and vicarious (secondary) trauma
Track outcomes of interventions that are designed to address these mental health concerns
As citizens, we can all help ourselves and our communities by
Checking on our coworkers, neighbors, friends and relatives especially those who are prone to psychological distress, live alone or bear the burden of caregiving loved ones
Volunteering
Spreading factual information from reliable sources
Committing to self-care practices for yourself and your family
Exercising regularly, moderating our alcohol and protecting our sleep
Engaging our children in conversations about health and safety
Following the guidelines of mental authorities to decrease proliferation of virus strains
Spending time together and in nature
