When COVID-19 was first reported in the United States, many were optimistic that it would come and go fast enough. But after a few weeks, reality began and took a toll, not only on our physical selves, but also on our collective mental health. Many people have struggled with feelings of isolation, anxiety, depression and despair over the past year over the global pandemic. Many people have lost loved ones, missed funerals and births and other milestones and dealt with emotions that some have not even experienced. What has been the general impact on mental health on the population of our country over the past year?
According to a recent survey by Yahoo / YouGov, 35 percent of adults in the U.S. report that their mental health has deteriorated since the onset of the pandemic. And an even larger percentage (44 percent) reported an increase in depression in the past year, with 48 percent saying their anxiety symptoms also increased.
“The consequences for COVID-19’s mental health are only now beginning to be fully understood,” said Catherine Burns, a psychological and clinical supervisor for COVID Support Vermont in Vermont. “Over time, we develop a clearer picture that increasingly highlights experiences of stress, anxiety and depression around the world.”
Burns, who is also the quality director of Vermont Care Partners, says that not only are the physical and mental health and economic consequences directly related to the pandemic affecting people, but also ‘societal events of unrest, the concern for the future of our country and other important global environmental aspects. ‘And among the people most affected by these effects are coloreds and women, as well as those with a mental health, drug use or medical condition.
The Yahoo / YouGov survey showed similar statistics, with 39 percent of women reporting a deterioration in their overall mental health (compared to 31 percent of men) and 52 percent of women also reporting more anxiety (compared to 42 percent of the men). Burns points to a study conducted in Borders which identified the reasons why women were so negatively affected, including the fact that there are more women in the conscription and health worker positions in the top position, which has exposed them to COVID-19 at higher rates, as well as an increase in their workload at the home due to the care of family members in the home while they are in quarantine.
“Further endorsed by these authors is an increase in domestic violence, child abuse and an increase in social isolation and consequent decrease in emotional support, contributing to increased stress, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder,” Burns adds.
Psychologist Ernesto Lira de la Rosa, a member of the Media Advisory Board of the Hope for Depression Research Foundation, points to something called the minority stress theory.
This theory “states that individuals with minority identities not only experience general stressors, but also experience additional stressors that are unique to their minority identities. This theory may be helpful in understanding why we see women, racial and ethnic minorities, as well as the LGBTQ + community, which reports higher levels of depression, anxiety and stress, ‘says Lira de la Rosa.’ In particular, the pandemic has a negative impact on the lives of many African-American / Black and Latinx individuals as well as other under-represented groups. ‘
Related: Survey shows that pandemic hits mothers hardest
Indeed, 59 percent of Spanish participants in the Yahoo / YouGov survey reported worse mental health conditions – more than any other minority in the survey (23 percent of black participants generally reported poorer mental health).
‘We [in the Hispanic community] tends to be really close, “says Brandie Carlos, therapist and owner of Therapy for Latinx.” I even joke that parties are a language of love in our community, and that it was really hard not to have access to a sense of belonging. In addition, we live with huge differences in terms of wealth, medical care and human rights. ‘
Carlos says she has seen numerous announcements in her own community in Los Angeles about Spanish individuals lost to COVID-19, most of whom were essential workers who could not stay at home.
Lira de la Rosa says COVID-19 has only exacerbated the pre-pandemic health disparities that already exist. “These differences are often seen in the lack of access to health care, preventive services, as well as discrimination and racism that negatively affect the physical and mental health of the Latinx community,” he explains.
The Yahoo / YouGov survey revealed another interesting statistic: The age group that reported being most sad or depressed (50 percent), as well as an overall deteriorating mental health (47 percent), was the 18-29. demographics. Although this age group is often considered resilient, there is no doubt that the great shift has taken a toll on the youth of the country.
“Emerging, emerging and young adults are constructing their future, economically, emotionally, socially and professionally, only to thwart and stop their plans. It is not surprising that the Gen Z groups are experiencing the uncertainty of the pandemic more profoundly and thus not reporting more related stress, anxiety and depression, ”says Burns.
“I can not imagine that I will eventually go to high school or study for the first time with a university through a pandemic. There are so many rituals we have as a society that marks the beginning of adulthood, and “This generation did not have access to those things … it is valid that they feel disappointed, frustrated and robbed of an experience,” says Carlos.
The same demographics reported the most in the minds about quitting their jobs in general (41 percent), as well as for reasons of parental stress (62 percent).
“Parents took on a new job throughout the pandemic: teaching their children at school and helping them and learning at a distance. It was incredibly challenging for those who also work from home,” says Stephanie Rojas, a licensed mental health counselor with Emerging Mental Health Services.
There are additional factors that influenced parents (and probably their desire to quit their jobs), as noted by Kimberly Malloy, a licensed marriage and family therapist who also experienced COVID-19 herself.
“Parents not only had to monitor and manage their own anxiety because of their work, their relationships and community, but also had to monitor their children’s mental health. The sadness that parents carry is increased as they watch, sometimes helplessly.” their children navigate through the loss of their own community, sports activities and school, ‘says Malloy. “The back-and-forth concentration on work, being interrupted and having to go back to the task, causes tasks to take longer to complete . We have found that we are not that big into constant multitasking without consequences. “
Rojas says: “It is important to ensure that parents receive as much support from others as possible. This may mean that they need to contact the support staff of the school and want to make contact with the teacher or principal of their child.”
Speaking of help, these experts offer a number of self-care tips for those dealing with increased mental health issues as the pandemic continues. Rojas recommends walking, diary and cooking, among other easy visits.
“Make contact with someone outside your home every day. While talking to someone over the phone or on a virtual connection is not the same thing, every day is a social connection, an important way to overcome the negative physical and mental. health benefits, consequences of loneliness, ”says Burns.
“I encourage people to take a compassionate approach with themselves and others … It’s OK to acknowledge that you are a human being and having a difficult time,” says Lira de la Rosa. “I also strongly encourage people to use mental health professional services. There are individual therapy or group therapy services available for those who need additional support … as well as to learn healthier coping skills during the pandemic.”
On a more practical level, Carlos recommends that those dealing with financial issues, which can increase tensions, should have all resources at their disposal, including unemployment, pandemic assistance, PPP loans and food stamps.
“Beyond the practical, pay attention to what you surround yourself with, both on social media and in real life,” says Carlos. “Determine what brings you relief and what raises you again, and use those things during the week.”
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