COVID-19 and Mental Health
Positive Outcomes of COVID-19:
We Have Gotten Back Some Much-Needed Family Time.
Quarantining and social distancing measures have prompted an increase in family time and domestic life. Many individuals with certain preexisting mental conditions benefited from the increased support and hiatus from everyday hustle.
We’ve Realized How Valuable Human Connection Is.
The increased widespread use of social platforms such as Zoom, FaceTime, etc. have no doubt brought people together.
Nature Returned to Balance.
With fewer cars on the road and less emissions, many large cities around the world saw clear blue skies. The effects of the pandemic carried a positive impact for the fight against climate change.
Crime Has Decreased.
With covid-19 shutting down economic activity in most parts of the world and people staying closer to home, street crimes like assault and robbery have decreased significantly across the United States and in other countries. Even major crimes such as murder, rape, burglary, grand larceny and car theft have decreased in certain cities. However, an increase in domestic violence and worry for unreported cases have caused growing concern among law enforcement officials.
The impact of COVID-19 has led to widespread concerns about its unique effects on college students’ mental health. To examine this topic more broadly, CCMH completed a five-part blog series using a wide range of longitudinal clinical data from students seeking mental health services at college counseling centers nationally.
Negative Outcomes of COVID 19:
Feelings of feelings of fear, anger, sadness, worry, numbness, or frustration
Physical reactions, such as headaches, body pains, stomach problems, and skin rashes
Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
Difficulty sleeping or increase in nightmares
Changes in appetite, energy, and activity levels
Worsening of chronic health problems
Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs
*According to the Kaiser Family Foundation website
During the pandemic, about 4 in 10 adults in the U.S. have reported symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorder, a share that has been largely consistent, up from 1 in 10 adults who reported these symptoms from January to June 2019
A KFF Health Tracking Poll from July 2020 also found that many adults are reporting specific negative impacts on their mental health and well-being, such as difficulty sleeping (36%) or eating (32%), increases in alcohol consumption or substance use (12%), and worsening chronic conditions (12%), due to worry and stress over the coronavirus.
Populations that were particularly at risk for experiencing negative mental health or substance abuse consequences during the pandemic, including: young adults, people experiencing job loss, parents and children, communities of color, and essential workers.
Other Negative Outcomes:
Suicide rates increased — for children/adolescents as well as adults
Child abuse rates increased — increased emergency room visits and hospitalizations
Spousal abuse rates increased
“While one in three white women report having experienced domestic violence [during the pandemic], the rates of abuse increased dramatically to about 50% and higher for those marginalized by race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, and cognitive physical ability,” says Erika Sussman, executive director of the Center for Survivor Advocacy and Justice (CSAJ), a support and research organization.
Economic Stress
Social Isolation
Religious institutions forced to close — resulting in isolation and lack of community support
Continuous media coverage has lead to panic, fear, anxiety
Barriers to mental health treatment — therapy sessions only permitted if Zoom-only and with participating therapists
Physical health issues exacerbated due to stress, lack of access — non-essential medical services and procedures were shut down for months
Unemployment skyrocketed — although some sectors were given a higher rate of unemployment money than when they were working
Firearms sales surged
This could be put under both positive or negative effects, depending on your view…
On the positive side, an increase in firearm sales benefits from an economic standpoint, is a sense of security for current and hopeful firearm-owners, and may serve as a deterrent among crime. On the negative side, this is a setback for those in support of increased gun-control and it may have a correlation with an increase in suicides and wrongful deaths.