The Crisis Brewing Throughout the Pandemic
Mental health took center stage throughout 2021. In the midst of a pandemic, more people began to speak out about their own mental health concerns and how they affect their everyday lives. The pandemic took an unbearable toll on the mental health of Americans and people throughout the world.
Factors That May Contribute to Mental Health
Multiple factors at play during the pandemic likely came together to impact people’s mental well being including isolation, job loss, economic uncertainty, fear of illness, and more. Many people were also deeply impacted because of their profession. First responders and teachers regularly reported feelings of burnout and frustration.
Lack of Access to Treatment
The pandemic also triggered another problem: access to treatment. Some people were concerned with the risk of in-person treatment to their physical health, others simply did not know whether treatment facilities were operational during the pandemic. Either way, fewer people sought treatment for mental health concerns despite a significant increase in those reporting that they experienced feelings of stress, anxiety, depression, or worse.
Sudden Loss of Life
What fewer people talk about is the devastating loss of life from the pandemic and the toll that took on loved ones. Many people were unprepared for the sudden loss of their loved ones to the Coronavirus.
The sudden death of a family member was heartbreaking and left many families at their breaking point. Some families lost multiple family members, some lost both their parents within weeks. The tragic deaths were another factor in the mental health problem brewing throughout America.
Brighter Days Ahead
On a brighter note, 2022 seems to bring a further return to normalcy. With this return, hopefully, more people will seek the treatment they need. There has also been an increase in celebrities and professional athletes bringing awareness to their own mental health struggles. By normalizing mental health concerns, more people may feel comfortable coming forward and seeking treatment.