Take steps in New Year to manage stress
In addition to affecting work and school, COVID has also resulted in greater mental health challenges.
The Year 2020 is almost over, and many people are counting down the minutes until a fresh, and hopefully better, start in 2021. The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic and other events of 2020 have significantly impacted several aspects of life. In addition to affecting how people work, go to school, and exercise, COVID has also resulted in greater mental health challenges.
The American Psychological Association conducted a survey earlier this year and found that COVID had increased people’s stress levels. Kirsten Freitag Murray is the director of development and public relations at Creative Health Services. Creative Health is located in Pottstown and provides behavioral healthcare for children and adults experiencing depression, anxiety, opioid use disorder and several other behavioral health conditions. Below, she provides information about how events of this year have affected the mental health of individuals and tips on how to manage the added stress.
What has been the mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic?
Freitag Murray: There are elevated levels of difficult mental health conditions, substance use and suicidal ideation. Anxiety and depression have increased since the pandemic. Some of the stressors we’ve seen from COVID are social isolation, disruption and change in school structure, unemployment, and other financial worries. Various forms of violence have also escalated in 2020. In a non-COVID year, if there is abuse or other types of violence happening within a home then individuals outside that home take notice and offer help. A teacher may notice a child is being mistreated or a church member may recognize the signs of abuse in another member. Since people aren’t currently socializing much outside of their home, then
unfortunately many of these incidents are going unreported or unnoticed. There isn’t this external outlet to seek help.
How has the change in school structure impacted children and families?
Freitag Murray: Children experienced a very abrupt change in their routine earlier this year. Some kids experienced more disruption than others in terms of connecting virtually to lessons as these students were without access to computers or the internet. When the switch from in-person to virtual schooling began in March, it was a scramble for parents because many were juggling their own work from home tasks while also being responsible for their kids’ schooling. This situation remains extremely stressful.
What role has finances and unemployment played in increased mental health challenges this year?
Freitag Murray: Unemployment and job insecurity have intensified mental health conditions and behaviors. Many people lost their jobs or had their hours cut which resulted in the loss of full-time benefits along with the loss of income. The other aspects that have been majorly affected are housing stability and food
security. Some families’ income was greatly affected by the pandemic and this has an impact on both the adults and children in that household.
Creative Health applied for and received $50,000 from the Philadelphia Relief Fund and $5,000 from the Montgomery County Relief Fund. Since Creative Health had existing relationships with clients through our Case Management Department, we were able to disperse these funds directly to clients with an identified need. These needs included rent and mortgage assistance, assistance with utility payments, gift certificates to purchase groceries, security deposits to move into a new apartment, childcare assistance, medical bills, car repairs and taxes. We are grateful that we were able to serve a total of 67 individuals.
How has experiencing big life events during a pandemic resulted in increased mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression?
Freitag Murray: People have missed important life events this year such as celebrating a birthday with others, visiting family during Thanksgiving, or meeting a new baby born into the family. That’s another disruption and another disappointment people had to experience. This year, we welcomed our first grandchild into the family, while my dad has been living on his own in a life care facility. I haven’t seen my dad since March and he has yet to meet his first great-granddaughter. That’s heartbreaking for me. There’s also grief to deal with for those families and people who’ve lost a loved one. The pandemic resulted in a difficult event becoming even harder because people were unable to gather to comfort one another during their grief.
It’s important to consider that each person and family has experienced the pandemic in very unique ways.
Why is it important for people to still receive medical attention during this time?
Freitag Murray: Based on national data collection, there has been a drop in people taking their kids to their wellness visits. People fear going to the doctor’s office during this time. It’s important parents continue wellness child visits and that adults seek medical attention when needed as well. Adults and children should make sure they are going to their regular doctor and dentist appointments. If the kids are scheduled for regular vaccinations, that still needs to be done.
If you notice your kids are experiencing greater anxiety and depression due to the events of this year, then it may be a good idea to call Creative Health Services to set up an appointment and figure out if counseling is needed. Be aware of any changes in behavior when it comes to kids. It’s common for children to have worries about the pandemic and fear getting sick. If kids are more withdrawn than usual, if there are changes in their eating or sleeping habits, or if they’re having difficulty concentrating on schoolwork, then parents may want to seek professional help.
How has Creative Health Services helped the community during this time?
Freitag Murray: From the
start of the pandemic, Creative Health Services has remained open while staying focused on enhancing public health safety protocols. Creative Health was able to pivot to approaches that have kept COVID-19 out of our facilities, and away from staff and clients, by relying on backbone systems we’ve spent years developing. For example, our already widespread use of community-based documentation tools and a web-based electronic health record allowed us to move toward telehealth. Some services are still delivered in-person while practicing public health guidelines. We partnered with a local technology development company to create screening devices at all entrances. The single device unit sanitizes your hands, progresses through a COVID checklist and a temperature check, and only then does it allow entry. As the weather gets colder, Creative Health has tents set up outside of the main facility to accommodate social distancing needs. If the community has a need then they can call us, and we’ll connect them with services in a safe manner.
What are some activities or recommendations to help people manage the added stress during this time?
Freitag Murray: The holiday break is a great time to disconnect from media and be intentional about connecting with those in your family or COVID bubble. There are several ways people can help manage the stressors that have resulted from the pandemic and events of 2020.
• Try to establish and keep a routine.
• Get outdoors and play outside as a family. Fresh air, even if it’s cold, does everybody so much good. Bundle
up for the cold weather and go out for a walk, make a snowman, or do another outdoor activity.
• Share and explore feelings around social isolation. Have intentional and honest conversations with children about how they’re feeling.
• Take breaks from consuming news, COVID updates and social media. It can be very overwhelming to constantly consume media and other information.
• Help your family stay connected socially by scheduling calls, video chats, and even virtual games with others. Even if you can’t visit your friend who lives down the street from you, it’s important to still connect with them in some other way. A positive of the pandemic is that people have been doing more voice calls as opposed to just texting, which is healthy.
• Find ways to attend places of worship virtually. People who are unable to attend their place of worship in person, should find out if the service is offered online and attend as a family.
• Send letters and cards to friends and family during this time. It’s always fun to go to the mailbox and see a note from someone special in your life.
• Model healthy behaviors for children. Follow the guidelines for washing your hands, wearing a mask in public and staying six feet apart. This will help to reassure children that these actions will keep them and others safe.
• Find other ways to support someone experiencing a big life event. If someone has a life event and you can’t be with them in person, send food delivery or a gift certificate. You’ll be supporting local businesses at the same time.
If you’re feeling more anxious or worried than usual, contact Creative Health Services at 484-941-0500 or the email info@creativehs.org.