The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our lives in many ways over this past year and half. People have lost their jobs, been isolated or away from their families, spent countless days indoors on quarantine, dealt with housing and food insecurity, been unable to go to school or college, and many parents have been juggling working from home while taking care of their children. These are just some of the things communities have faced for more than a year now, not to mention the impact the pandemic has had on those who have lost a family member or a loved one due to coronavirus. But how are all these factors affecting our emotional and mental state?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMN) of the National Institutes of Health, the nation has seen a significant increase in depression, anxiety, and insomnia, which increases the risk of developing mental illness such as post-traumatic stress disorder or major depressive disorder. Last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted a survey with adults from all over the country showing that 31% of respondents reported symptoms of anxiety or depression, 13% reported having started or increased substance use, 26% reported stress-related symptoms, and 11% reported having serious thoughts of suicide in the past 30 days. NIMH stated that these numbers nearly doubled the rates expected before the pandemic. In addition, data from other government agencies shows that the pandemic is disproportionately affecting different ethnic groups and minority communities, particularly as a consequence of job loss, housing instability, and food insecurity, among other factors.
All this is taking a big toll on our communities and has become a growing issue for healthcare providers in Virginia, reaching a point where more than half of state-run psychiatric hospitals closed to new admissions last month. The Commissioner of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, Alison Land, announced the closure due to the “immediate crisis.” Land explained that it has become a dangerous environment where both staff and patients are at greater risk for physical harm. Part of the issue is that about 30 percent of positions that directly support patients are vacant, with 108 people having resigned in a span of two weeks due to long hours and lack of safety. The five facilities that are “temporarily” closed to new admissions are the Catawba Hospital, Central State Hospital, Eastern State Hospital, Piedmont Geriatric Hospital and Western State Hospital. They have also received instruction to reduce their bed capacity and consolidate staff.
The Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association (VHHA) reached out to state legislators and leaders calling for the state to direct resources to support recruitment and retention of behavioral health workers. According to Julian Walker, the Vice President of Communications for the VHHA, what's happening is that hospital emergency departments have been temporarily taking in patients suffering from mental health crises, which has resulted in various complications for hospital staff and patients. Currently, Virginia hospitals are working with the state government to find ways to address the situation and better serve patients seeking mental health services.
Fortunately, there are a number of resources and services available that can help individuals find ways to cope with the consequences of the pandemic. Here are some resources you can use for yourself or share with a loved one:
- CDC, Coping with stress
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator
- SAMHSA's National Helpline
- NIMH Shareable Resources on Coping with COVID-19