Mental health a major issue during pandemic

The annual May observance of Mental Health Awareness Month has been an American tradition for more than 70 years.

Such efforts to raise awareness of the importance of mental health have gained momentum in recent years as part of a broader effort to destigmatize mental illness and improve access to the help people need. It’s imperative that people not be afraid to seek help or ashamed of needing it, and that people must be aware of the signs of mental illness in their loved ones and be prepared to make sure they get the help they need.

We suspect that many people who did not understand the importance of mental health issues before are able to comprehend it now.

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a tremendous toll on mental health. The combination of fear, uncertainty, isolation and economic problems is causing an alarming level of anxiety.

A WebMD report noted that a recent Kaiser Family Foundation poll found 56% of Americans reported at least one negative mental health effect caused by worry or stress related to the outbreak.

Among them were trouble with eating or sleeping, increased alcohol consumption, frequent headaches or stomach pain and shorter tempers. The numbers were even higher among health care workers and people who have lost income due to the pandemic.

A report from the Well Being Trust said the pandemic could lead to 75,000 additional “deaths of despair” from drug and alcohol misuse and suicide due to unemployment, social isolation, and fears about the virus, according to WebMD.

Officials in Pennsylvania are aware of the problem. The Department of Human Services marked the beginning of the month with a reminder that it is OK to not feel OK and that help is available.

DHS officials noted the urgency of raising awareness and understanding the stigma of mental illness and substance use disorders.

“We know that the COVID-19 emergency is a difficult time for everyone, and many are struggling with feelings of fear and anxiety,” DHS Secretary Teresa Miller said in the agency’s announcement.

“It is OK to feel this way. This crisis may not always allow people to tune in to their personal needs, but in order to have the ability and emotional capacity to take care of others, you must take care of yourself.”

A statewide Support & Referral Helpline is staffed around the clock with caseworkers ready to counsel Pennsylvanians struggling with anxiety and other challenging emotions due to the COVID-19 emergency and refer them to communitybased resources that can further help them. Call 1-855-2842494. For TTY, dial 724-6315600.

Many other resources also remain available to Pennsylvanians in need of support, including:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Línea Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio: 1-888-6289454

Crisis Text Line: Text “PA” to 741-741

Safe2Say: 1-844-723-2729 or www.safe2saypa.org

Veteran Crisis Line: 1-800273-TALK (8255)

Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990

Get Help Now Hotline (for substance use disorders): 1-800662-4357

Pennsylvania Sexual Assault Helpline: 1-888-772-7227 or pcar.org/help-in-pa

National Domestic Violence Helpline: 1-800-799-7233 or www.PCADV.org

United Way of Pennsylvania: Text your ZIP code to 898-211 or visit www.uwp.org/211gethelp Available online resources: Pennsylvania’s comprehensive mental health resources, Mental Health in PA (https://www.dhs.pa.gov/Services/Mental-Health-In-PA/Pages/default. aspx).

Mental Health America for general information and COVID-19-specific resources (https://mhanational.org/covid19).

Get Help Now for substance use disorder and alcohol treatment. (https://apps.ddap.pa.gov/gethelpnow/)

“I encourage all Pennsylvanians to take time during this Mental Health Awareness Month to pay attention to your own mental health,” Miller said.

“Find ways to connect to people who are supportive and know that physical isolation does not mean social isolation. And most importantly, if you find that you may need help, reach out. You are not alone.”

Miller offers excellent advice. We urge readers who need help to take advantage of the resources available to assist them in this difficult time for us all.