COVID-19 VS Mental Healthcare Facilities in USA
The COVID-19 has been making us all feel very uneasy. As the media churn out reports about rising casualties, it is becoming much difficult for many across the globe to maintain composure. Several people must experience adjustment disorders, which arises when people find it difficult to cope with everyday life in times of disruption. Even the most resilient among us have been feeling the stress. It seems that life will not resume normality anytime soon especially at school and workplaces. Day to day activities are getting more difficult to maintain. The vulnerable among us are exposed to greater stress levels. The fact of the matter is that COVID-19 has affected our physical and mental life. We are constantly trying to adjust to a new set of circumstances and dealing with the idea of uncertainty. One question that one may ask under the circumstances is this: are the Mental Healthcare Facilities in USA prepared? The US was already experiencing a rise in mental health issues in recent years, the number of suicides and drug overdose had climbed rather drastically. Mental Healthcare Facilities in USA have already been under pressure. Almost 17.3 million people in the US had reported at least one major depressive episode. To matters worse, many people do not seek treatment at all. According to estimation, 80% of people don’t seek help due to stigma and shame. While Mental Healthcare Facilities in USA need to be improved, people also need to get educated about mental health issues.
TCoronavirus has made the matter even worse. While social distancing might save people from getting infected, it has been isolating people from each other. According to a poll conducted by the American Psychiatric Association, 36% of Americans have reported a serious impact on their mental health due to COVID-19. 31% of people have reported a lack of sleep due to anxiety-related issues. More than a quarter of the US population lives alone. Research proves a relationship between loneliness and substance abuse and mood disorders. At least a small proportion of those stuck in homes might have to deal with abusive relationships. Individuals trying to overcome addiction might also be facing problems accessing their medics and rehab centers. All these potential stress scenarios might lead society to a lot of problems. We are unsure about the final number of coronavirus victims. We are also unsure about the number of stress victims. A number of these victims will end up manifesting symptoms for clonal anxiety and depression. The situation will heavily challenge theMental Healthcare Facilities in USA .
It will be fair to say that Mental Healthcare Facilities in USA should be ready to take care of a fairly large number of mental health patients once the COVID-19 crisis abates. There is already a rise in demand for remote therapy. Services such as Talkspace reported a 65% increase in demand while Brightside reports a 50% increase in demand since the start of the year. Certain online therapists report an increase of more than 65% in customer demand since February. A lot of employers have also been seeking help for their workers, who have been doing parenting duties along with regular work. Many employers are indeed making an honest effort to mitigate stress and help their employees. Starbucks recently announced that it will be providing 20 mental health sessions per year to its employees and their family members. Other employers need to follow suit.
A lot of people are trying to overcome poor sleep and anxiety-related issues. According to a CNBC report, more than 60% of workers have reported that their mental health affected productivity. Front-line workers, including medics and food-service workers, are facing an even greater level of stress. They have a greater chance of catching the virus and their work has also multiplied. All that means one thing: the capacity of Mental Healthcare Facilities in USA will be severely tested.
People under stress are less likely to exercise or properly take care of themselves under the circumstances. The stressors have been building up gradually and individuals with preexisting tendencies are more vulnerable. The operational mental health facilities in USA have been experiencing overwhelming pressures. The problem is that the trend is about to peak. More therapists will be required to meet strenuous demand. The practitioners are generally only allowed to practice in the state they are licensed for, but the states are quickly making adjustments to meet rising demands. Remote treatment is a good option under the circumstances but there are always some patients that require a more hands-on treatment. According to the 2019 WHO report, depression and anxiety cost $ 1 trillion per year to the world economy in terms of low productivity. Given the situation, the price will be much higher for 2020. Mental health experts suggest that once the COVID-19 subside, it will leave a mark on people’s psyche. We may expect a stark increase in anxiety, PTSD, depression, suicide rates, and substance abuse. The American healthcare system needs to prepare for an emergency in times ahead. It will be a good idea to reach out to the masses and give them general tips on mental health tips so that the overall damage remains under control.
