Don’t Lose Your Mental

The COVID-19 pandemic has not only ravaged the world through disease but also through a massive decline in people’s mental health.

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Among the global health crisis, an equally deadly disease has been overlooked. With quarantine in full effect, people are locked up in their homes, some alone, with little to no human interaction. The stress of possible infection and hospitalization has many filled with terror. All this stress, fear, and anxiety is leading to a decline in the mental health of many. 

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According to the AMSA Wellness and Student Life Action Committee, reported studies modeling the effect of the pandemic on suicide rates predict an increase from 1% to 145% (AMSA). Such a drastic increase is a direct illustration of the destructive effect the pandemic is having on people and their mental health. 

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This pandemic affects everyone, meaning that anyone is prone to the same environmental conditions that are leading to the increase in suicide rates. National survey results in 2020 revealed a high prevalence of psychological distress increased by 45% in the United States (AMSA).

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The reason for such a drastic increase is the poor availability and accessibility of mental health professionals. As the pandemic stretches human resources thin, people are unable to get the same help they once used to. One cannot simply book a therapist appointment for next week and let some of their anxiety go. While online therapy sessions are still available, a session through Zoom is far less personal, realistic, and effective than one in person.

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The increasing amount of dead from COVID is no help either. Many have lost close family members or loved ones at the hands of the virus. With no professional to help people cope with such loss, people’s stress levels rise to dangerous levels, compelling them to commit rash decisions like suicide.

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Regardless of the lack of mental health care professionals, proper channels still exist to aid individuals in their times of need. According to the AMSA Wellness and Student Life Action Committee, things like simply speaking to friends over the phone can make a massive impact on one’s mental and emotional health. Reaching out to friends and chatting for a while not only improves morale but also reduces stress. Anything is better than having to bury horrible thoughts in one's head of self-harm.

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The Pandemic has brought upon new stressful conditions that are leading to a rise in suicide rates. The importance of mental health has become a prominent need in these challenging times. The pandemic has brought on an increased focus on caring for one’s physical health, but one should keep their mental health just as healthy as one would their own body.

 

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255

The Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741-741