How COVID-19 Affected Mental Health

Whether you have been trapped at home since the beginning of the pandemic, or working in the middle of it as an essential worker, COVID-19's impact has been felt by almost everyone worldwide. During the pandemic, about 4 in 10 adults in the United States reported symptoms of anxiety or depression. This is a significant increase compared to the 1 in 10 U.S. adults that reported those symptoms in 2019.

The pandemic has caused a huge surge in anxiety and depression inducing factors that may not have been an issue beforehand. For many people, losing their job, isolation or fear of losing a loved one or their own life to illness, weren't everyday issues. But since the coronavirus shut down the world in March 2020, those issues have risen to the front of most minds. 

But adults aren't the only ones who have been struggling since the start of the pandemic, children have also had their lives turned upside down while many are still too young to fully understand the situation. Online school and isolation from other kids can be extremely difficult for children, especially those who struggle learning in an online environment. For many, going to school was a break from a bad homelife or the only time they would eat during the week, causing even more stress to a child who is already dealing with so much.

Adults and children have taken to different unhealthy coping mechanisms as they deal with this new world. For some adults, that can mean things like abusing substances or not leaving bed. For children, they may act out or hole up in their room. While everyone handles the stress of the pandemic differently, it is important to learn how to manage it and develop healthy coping mechanisms as the long term side effects on mental health from COVID-19 are still unknown.

Ways to help yourself and any kids you may have include taking breaks from watching or reading about things involving the pandemic, taking care of yourself by excercising and eating healthy, avoiding alcohol or drug abuse and talking with loved ones. One of the most important things to do if you're feeling anxious or depress, is to speak with someone you trust or a therapist/counselor. 

Our behavioral health counselors at LaSante Health Center have been working throughout the entire pandemic and are happy to help you through whatever it is you may be struggling with. Taking care of yourself during this time is so important, and will help you in the long run.