This article discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, call the Nationwide Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255.
The next pandemic is poised to occur: a mental health disaster, not only triggered by the trauma caused by the novel coronavirus, but also the consequences of long-term lockdowns, lost livelihoods, and increased stress, isolation, and dependency.
Medical professionals have described the COVID-19 Pandemic as “a great storm” that has accelerated a mental health catastrophe already underway.
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The center has noticed an increase in cases of melancholy, including loneliness, hopelessness, and suicidal thoughts. Laura Rhodes Levin, a licensed professional counselor and founder of The Lacking Peace Heart for Nervousness told Fox Information that anxiety in cases of agoraphobia is also more prevalent. “Those with germaphobia and obsessive compulsive disorder are feeling a greater sense of anxiety and discomfort.” In this period of isolation, alcohol and drug abuse, as well as overeating, are major concerns.
According to a recent survey by the Kaiser Household Foundation, almost half of Americans claim that the prolonged disaster has negatively affected their mental health. Last month, the federal emergency hotline that assists those with mental illness reported a 1,000% increase in calls compared to April 2019. Digital counseling service Talkspace also announced a 650% rise in their clientele since the beginning of the public health disaster in February.
With unemployment rates soaring by the minute, it is expected that these grim statistics will only continue to increase at a rapid rate. In the last 9 weeks, the number of jobless claims has reached 38.6 millions. U.S. Labor Division officials predict that the amount may reach 20 percent by the end of the month.
Lobsang Tseten practices breathing exercises and meditates alone in order to maintain social distance at a New York playground.
Lobsang Tseten practices breathing exercises and meditates to maintain social distance at a New York playground.
(AP Picture/John Minchillo)
Dr. Meghan Markum, chief psychology at A Mission for Michael in Southern California (a resource for intensive mental health therapy), said that there is a fine line between the necessary measures to mitigate an extremely infectious disease and being aware of its detrimental effects on psychological health.
This has led to a rise in suicides across the country. The problem was a growing concern even before the coronavirus catastrophe. The National Center for Health Statistics recently reported that suicide rates nationwide increased 35 percent between 1999 and 2018. However, a clearer picture of the pandemic’s suicide ripple effect won’t be realized for several months as medical professionals must meticulously examine each death to determine its cause.
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Dr. Roger McIntyre is a professor of Psychiatry, Pharmacology, and CEO of AltMed. He noticed that online pharmaceutical service Categorical Scripts reported a recent increase of 40% in a prescription for capsules to treat anxiety, a 20% improvement in prescriptions of melancholy pills, and a 50% increase in prescriptions of sleeping pills.
He said, “We’ve also seen an increase in the number of people reaching out to us for help,” he explained. “We’re definitely going to see an increase in depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic issues, as well as suicide, and we are seeing that.” It’s concerning that despite the increased need, many people do not have access to care.
McIntyre predicted that the degree of financial recovery would influence the long-term effects of the pandemic.
He continued, “The longer unemployment continues, the more psychological suffering and suicide risk will increase.” “Suicide and unemployment are closely linked in terms of financial insecurity. For every 1 percent increase in unemployment, there will be an equal 1 percent increase in suicide. According to our most recent publication in the journal World Psychiatry we project an increase of between 8,000 and $10,000 additional suicides in America as a result of the pandemic.
Employees create donation meals to go for a Brooklyn neighborhood company named Collective Fare.
Workers prepare donation meals to go for a company known as Collective Fare in the Brownsville neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York City.
(Stephanie Keith/Getty Photographs)
Red flags were also raised in relation to relapses of dependency, which are compounded with stay-home orders and financial collapse. The Substance Abuse and Psychological Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), which runs the hotline, saw a 338 percent increase in calls in March compared to February.
“Psychological well being doesn’t discriminate. Tim Ryan, Rehab.com’s restoration advocate, said that with this pandemic occurring and affecting all classes, people from all walks of life will be affected. The hardest hit are those on low incomes who cannot afford or find the right help. Many people left untreated are in their own mental hell. Suicides, alcoholism, self-harm, and lack of housing will be on the rise. “There will be more dysfunction in family homes.”
This month, the outbreak of severe inflammatory diseases among minors has added to the anxiety. Although initially believed to be relatively resistant to the disease, doctors have begun to suspect otherwise.
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This also has a severe impact on those who are under pressure to take care of their children and to maintain their jobs and livelihoods wherever possible.
“Nervousness and stress, paranoia and melancholy have increased amongst individuals with and without previous psychological health issues. Shannon Kroner, a clinical psychologist, said that people who don’t drink alcohol regularly have started drinking every day to relieve the stress from multitasking. I’ve spoken with many mothers who have turned to daily drinking to get through a busy day that includes helping their children with schoolwork, keeping the house clean, making sure everyone is fed and trying to keep up with their work via teleconferences or zoom calls.
Kroner noted that the pressure could overwhelm any parent, especially if they have a child in more than one grade, a toddler or a child with special needs. Marriages can also be strained by sharing the same space with a partner 24 hours a week, especially if children are involved.
Jack Campise speaks with his mother Beverly Kearns through the apartment window of Kimberly Hall North Nursing Home in Windsor, Conn.
Jack Campise speaks with his mother, Beverly Kearns through her apartment window at the Kimberly Corridor North Nursing Home in Windsor, Conn.
(AP Picture/Chris Ehrmann)
Although frontline medical staff have been praised by the community for their tireless efforts in fighting coronaviruses and saving lives, they are also among those who suffer from severe psychological health consequences. Frontline medical staff are often faced with losses, and they do not have the time to grieve and recover.
A study published by the Journal of the American Medical Affiliation on the psychological health outcomes of healthcare staff caring for coronavirus patients in China revealed that more than 70% reported mental misery, 50% reported signs of depression and anxiety, and 34% experienced insomnia.
“I have been irritable more and my sleep has been disturbed.” The COVID is confusing to many hospital staff, as are the financial impacts. One Tennessee emergency room doctor, who asked that his name not be published due to hospital restrictions on speaking with the media, said: “Many nurses have been furloughed.” Everyone is experiencing increased anxiety and stress.
Stress can lead to death.
Dr. Lorna Breen, who was a top emergency room physician at Manhattan’s NewYork Presbyterian Allen Hospital and treated coronavirus patients, committed suicide in the last month. William Coddington, a Florida Nurse who had been struggling with trauma and isolation during the coronavirus war, was found dead in a hotel parking lot that same week.
The longer the disaster lasts, the harder it will be for these professionals to keep up the long hours and concentration that is required of them.
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In addition, law enforcement agencies are also speaking out about the ongoing toll that the virus continues to take on their community. According to data compiled by Police One, more than 51 law enforcers from 13 different states have died due to this novel pathogen.
As summertime approaches, states are slowly beginning to reopen their crippled economy. However, the government is scrambling to address the growing mental health crisis.
The United Nations published a report earlier this month that highlighted “years of neglect and underinvestment” in addressing people’s mental well-being needs. It called on leaders to strengthen commitments in the way they handle psychological illness, amid an international spike in drug abuse and suicides.
New Jersey, a neighboring state, has launched a “Examine You, Examine Two”, encouraging doctors to touch base daily with two colleagues. It has also committed $2 million in federal grant money to bolster the telehealth counseling services provided by Rutgers University’s Behavioral Health Care.
On Friday, April 17th, 2020, emergency medical personnel in Brooklyn, New York, wheeled a patient out of Cobble Hill Health Center.
In this Friday, April 17 2020 photo, emergency medical personnel in the Brooklyn borough, New York, wheel a patient out of Cobble Hill Well being Center.
(AP Picture/John Minchillo)
The federal mental health czar, Dr. Elinore McKatz, Assistant Secretary at the Division of Health and Human Services and Head of the Substance Abuse and Psychological Wellbeing Administration, has indicated that alcohol and drug overdoses, as well as suicide, could exceed 150,000 deaths if the problem is not addressed.
Many experts say that there is still a lot more to be done.
“Homes for worship should be opened immediately.” Why is it that marijuana dispensaries and liquor stores are considered important but temples, mosques, and church buildings are not? Kroner argued that people who are under a lot of pressure need a place to feel safe. Many spiritual people find that talking to a priest, rabbi or imam during uncertain times is essential. To slow the growth of mental health issues, our government shouldn’t make it illegal to want or gain from outside.
Masha Pearl of The Blue Card in New York, a charity that provides assistance to holocaust and trauma survivors, said they have seen a sharp increase in alcohol and drug abuse. This, in turn, is weakening the immune system and making others vulnerable to an extreme case.
“Governments should create a mental health outreach plan which doesn’t wait for a person calling a hotline, or sending an electronic mail to request assist. She stated that it will be easiest for primary care doctors and mental health providers to reach out and contact their patient list and ask about psychological well-being. “Psychological health suppliers shouldn’t get paid by patients during this time, but by the federal authorities.”
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Medical professionals hope that individuals can find some good in the midst of all this doom.
“Remedy cannot be worse than the pandemic.” People are at their limit and unable to cope with the current circumstances. It has been a long time. Weronika, a psychologist and life coach based in Los Angeles, said that this catastrophe could have many positive effects on mental health. There is always a chance, no matter what the situation. Many innovations have already been born. People had plenty of time to be inventive. “When all things return to normal, we will all be motivated and determined.”
Rhodes-Levin also agreed.
She added, “I hope that there will be a positive long-term effect in which people have time to prioritize what is important to them. For instance, spending time with family and valuing the little things which are difficult to attain rather than taking these issues without any consideration.” This is the worst disaster this generation has ever seen. It will be fascinating to see what practices return to normal and which ones are changed forever.
Hollie McKay is a Fox Information Digital Workers reporter since 2007. She has reported extensively from war zones, including Iraq, Syria and Yemen. She also investigated international conflicts and battle crimes in Latin America, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Burma. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @holliesmckay
