By Delores McLean, BSN, RN
Mental health in the United States has become more complex today. There has been a vast prevalence of mental health disorders among adolescents. An estimated 49.5% of adolescents have had symptoms of a mental health disorder.
The National Institutes of Health (nih.gov) has noted that mental health is a significant health issue, and the COVID-19 crisis has had a significant influence on data collection and mental health. A survey of adults aged 18 and over showed that almost half of the sample could not participate due to not having a permanent home. They are either being enlisted in the military or living in institutional group quarters such as prisons, nursing homes, or psychiatric hospitals.
Five ways the COVID-19 pandemic has affected our mental well-being here in North Carolina:
One – Increased isolation and loneliness.
Two – Rise in depression and anxiety.
Three – Rise in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Four – Rise in substance use disorder.
Five – Increase in anger and fear among the population.
According to North Carolina State Health News (NCHA), children talked about their struggles with isolation and loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (JAACAP) concludes that loneliness is associated with mental health problems for people aged 4 to 21. In addition, it includes depression and anxiety and affects them years later (https://www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2020/12/30/2020s-biggest-story-the-covid-19-pandemic/). The state of North Carolina is declared to be in a mental health crisis. A 2021 State of Mental Health in America Report by Mental Health America ranked North Carolina 44th among states with mental health care. (https://www.ncha.org/2021/06/letter-behavioral-health-crisis-across-north-carolina-has-reached-a-state-of-emergency/).
Rural areas were just as affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. Research revealed that one in five COVID-19 patients developed mental health issues within 90 days of recovery. A report that was recently published found that those who have had COVID-19 are more likely to develop anxiety, depression, and PTSD (https://www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2020/12/30/2020s-biggest-story-the-covid-19-pandemic/).
Mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, and substance use disorders are of global concern. The need to quarantine, isolate, and adhere to social distancing during the pandemic has adversely affected many people’s mental health. Emotional feelings, such as uneasiness, monotony, rage, fright, doubt, solitude, tension, worry, and despair, often lead to post-traumatic stress disorder. The observed symptoms showed an increase and potentially have a long-term effect. The mental health consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic are real.
Strategies for mitigating mental health risks:
One – Identifying and addressing stressors.
Two- Building resistance.
Three- Seeking professional help.
Resilience builds resistance against stress. It is human nature to become anxious and worried during stressful times. However, we need to develop the skills necessary even after the stress. Obsessing the stress and the possibility of it returning can keep us in a constant state of anxiety and stress. According to an article in Medical X Press; “resilience can flourish by incorporating specific behaviors and creating a healthy environment”.
According to the article; Stress Resilience: It’s a Real Thing and You Can Develop It | Psychology Today; emotions such as anger or stress increase your heart rate. Therefore, suppressing negative emotions increases its effects.
Identifying your stressors includes identifying what makes you angry, tense, worried, or irritable. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people experienced these stressors. After identifying these triggers, you should consider ways to deal with them. There are many ways to manage stress. The Mayo Clinic has suggested numerous methods of alleviating stress, as described in their article “Stress Management and Stress Relief.”
There are many ways to cope with mental health issues, but if coping measures are not effective, then professional help is essential. Mental Disorders, in a nutshell, can be defined as changes in your way of thinking or feeling that cause distress. These changes can affect your entire well-being in different ways, including difficulty in personal or family relationships, difficulty functioning in social settings, and a decrease in performance at work or school.
One should seek professional help when any of the following occurs;
-Inability to cope with the activities of daily living.
-Feeling disconnected from the world around you.
-Having magical thoughts.
-Excessive anxiety.
-Prolonged depression or sadness.
-Having suicidal thoughts.
-Substance abuse.
-Excessive feelings of anger or aggression.
-Extreme mood swings.
Avoiding these signs due to stigma will only lead to more severe concerns. Discuss these symptoms with a mental health counselor or your doctor, who will guarantee you get the proper diagnostic evaluation. In addition, it will ensure that you receive the appropriate treatment. Providers should ensure that treatments for mental health disorders are specific to each individual. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness – “When people are directly involved in designing their treatment plan, including defining recovery and wellness goals, choosing services that support them and evaluating treatment decisions and progress, the experience of care and outcomes are improved.”
There are many tools for treatment;
-Medications.
-Counseling (Therapy).
-Education.
-Social support.
Do you feel all alone? Knowing that you are not alone is the key. Find a support group in your area if you need help with the next step. If you are in the North Carolina area- https://naminc.org/support-and-education/support-groups/ .