There are various statistics bouncing around regarding the impact of Covid-19 on mental health decline. The National Council for Behavioral Health published a report summarizing the following:
- 52% of organizations have seen an increase in the demand for health services
- Of organizations offering substance abuse disorder, more than 50% have reported an increased demand
- Behavioral health organizations are also struggling financially with 26% laid off, 24% furloughed and 43% decreased staffing hours
- 54% of organizations have closed programs and 65% have had to cancel, reschedule or turn away patients
Summary: The number of mental health issues have rocketed yet the number of specialists able to help, have been axed from being able to do their job. This is tragic.
Back in May, the Washington Post exposed the dramatic impact of Covid-19 whereby as early as April, a federal emergency hotline registered more than a 1000% increase from calls by people in emotional distress versus the same month in 2019. In May, around 20,000 people texted that same hotline. Talkspace, an online therapy company announced they'd received a 65% jump in clients since February.
During the last week of June, the CDC reported that nearly four out of every 10 people have struggled with substance abuse and mental health, with 31% of adults showing symptoms of depression or related anxiety.
We can delve deeper into this with further statistics, but why add more salt to the wound? What we're getting at is that the pandemic has isolated people from society and it's causing a tremendous spiral downwards in mental health.
Only an expert can truly care for someone with mental health but there are always ways you can help yourself. SF CARES has been a three plus decade year old advocate for the poverty, and we don't want to see any more homeless on our streets due to depression or related illnesses. Here are two very simple solutions so please try and share these:
- Dogs! Dogs are proven to be one of the world's greatest natural therapists. If you're a huge fan of the four legged friend, sign up to NextDoor.com or Craigslist.com and offer your services for free. Busy parents may not have the time to walk their dog since they need to help their kids with school work, or an elderly person may be worried about health implications from leaving their home. Lift everyone's spirits, your own included, by pounding the streets with Flopsy. There's nothing like taking your mind off your own problems by trying to grab a stick out a dog's mouth, especially since the Bay Area only has two mild seasons so there's no reason to cancel out evening strolls. Wonderful!
- Food Banks! There are now multiple pop-up pantries around the city so set the alarm early, get outside in the morning sunshine and for two hours, pack up bags of food that people really need that same day. The feeling of helping to make 500 bags of meals, knowing that what you hold in your hand is what will feed a family for 24 hours...well it's like no other.
When we help others, we always help ourselves - it's a natural cycle of life. We feel better about being useful, the time spins by quickly instead of sitting at home procrastinating and it gives us the booster to volunteer again. Within a few hours, our endorphins are bouncing back in the right direction and we small talk with others so there's no social pressure involved. It's basically a good distraction from wallowing in our own self pity. Once you've walked that gorgeous dog or packed food for 120 minutes, life will start to feel balanced again.
Our own personal well-being must take a front seat. It doesn't take much to reduce the cycle of depression, substance abuse and negative thoughts. Please, please, please share this and encourage others to get out the house, be productive, support the less fortunate and it'll do you the world of good.
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