Covid-19’s Effect on Mental Health
Covid-19 cases around the world are again on the rise. Here in Alabama, medical personnel are exhausted, and there is a critical shortage of hospital beds. While many continue to routinely ignore CDC, NIH, and WHO pandemic guidelines, others are growing weary of isolating. Covid-19 has been classified as a pandemic for more than eight months, and it is well-known that social interaction is imperative to mental health. We are in the midst of a pandemic that primarily affects our physical being, but it is contributing to a mental health crisis.
Depression (noun) – a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest; a mental condition that may cause one to feel that life isn’t worth living
The number of people diagnosed with depression has increased dramatically this year. In one study, 70% of the people found to have depression or anxiety reported loneliness or isolation as one of the top three contributors to their mental health state. Even worse, 11 to 17-year-olds are at the highest risk of being diagnosed with anxiety or depression [1].
For some, it’s worse. Suicide, suicide attempts, and suicidal ideation rates are also increasing quicker than they were pre-Covid. But as people seek help for their mental well-being, the stigma that surrounds mental health has begun to diminish, leading others to seek help as well.
Ultimately, it is our individual decisions, such as practicing pandemic-safe ways to interact, that will help diminish the impact of Covid-19 on our physical and mental health. Our individual choices are likely to influence the well being of others now more than ever.
Resources
If you or a loved one is battling suicidal thoughts or depression, please call or text:
- The National Suicide Prevention Hotline – 1-800-273-8255
- Crisis Text Line – “hello” to 741741
- Youth Line – “teen2teen” to 839863 or call 1-877-968-8491
- The Trevor Project – “start” to 6786781 or call 1-866-488-7386
Click here to read another article from another GirlSpring contributor on understanding and coping with depression.
Citations
- “The State of Mental Health in America.” The State of Mental Health in America – Mental Health America, Mental Health America, 2020, www.mhanational.org/issues/state-mental-health-america.
