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COVID-19 pandemic affecting mental health and mental health care

Mental health professionals are still helping people with problems relating to COVID-19, but the pandemic has also prompted some positive changes.

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Photo: Unsplash/Fusion Medical Animation

WORTHINGTON —More than a year after the COVID-19 pandemic began impacting lives, mental health professionals are still helping people deal with issues stemming from the virus, but some positive changes have occurred too.

“I would definitely say that more people are reaching out for help,” said Diane Dunn, a clinical social worker in Worthington who specializes in therapy with individuals, couples and families.

Like Dunn, many therapists have adapted to the changes brought about by using telehealth, which some insurance companies and providers were hesitant about prior to the pandemic.

“My experience as a provider has been that insurance companies have been proactive from the beginning on covering mental health appointments both in person and through telehealth,” said Andrea Bloch, licensed marriage and family therapist with The Sanctuary Counseling Services in Worthington. “Some insurance companies even waived co-pays for their customers for a period of time to help offset the individual's financial obligation and encourage people to seek out mental health treatment during the pandemic.”

Dunn said telehealth can be a challenge sometimes, given possible reception issues and technical problems, and some of the details a therapist might see in person may not be visible over a screen. At the same time, when therapists could start seeing patients in their offices again, they wore face masks, which can also present some challenges, Dunn said.

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Using telehealth means patients who have trouble leaving the house — due to bad weather, depression or mental health problems, lack of transportation or any other reason — can still see their healthcare providers.

More support needed

On Friday, results from the Minnesota Safe Learning Survey were released. Based on data gathered in Spring 2021 from Minnesota students, educators and families, the survey found that all respondent groups agreed mental health was a challenge.

“Student and staff mental health support was administrators’ No. 1 reported challenge,” the report states. “Teachers and support professionals reported their own mental health as their highest challenge, followed by mental health support for children.”

Sharon Bonnett, a licensed independent clinical social worker and registered play therapist with Journeys of Healing in Worthington, works mainly with children and their families. She’s seen a variety of responses to the stress of the pandemic

“For some people that were already struggling with anxiety or depression… some of them really struggled more,” Bonnett said. “... some kids that struggle in social situations, some of that pressure was relieved for them.”

Those children might have felt safer when they could do school without social pressure, she said.

Then too, some parents have re-evaluated their family schedules to include more time together as a family, Bonnett said.

“Kids are much more willing to go with the flow and keep going with it,” she added. “I see adults being more exhausted by it, and I think that might just be the nature of kids and adults.”

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On the flip side of the equation were the early adolescents whose anxiety levels increased at the beginning of the pandemic, Bonnett said, and then felt the social anxiety of returning to school, perhaps wondering if it was really safe to do so.

“And then I’m seeing, certainly, scenes of grief and loss,” Bonnett said.

Grief isn’t just about the loss of a family member or a loved one, either, though many people have experienced those losses due to COVID-19. Others are now suffering chronic health problems due to “long COVID.” Students who looked forward to a life event such as a field trip or a graduation ceremony may not have been able to have them, or may have had them in a different form than was expected. Those losses can be hard and students do grieve them.

“The issues I am seeing are typical — fear of the unknown, grief and loss, not knowing how to cope with increased stress, family stressors,” Bloch said.

What to do

“What I’m seeing with people… is this exhaustion of 20 months of being flexible,” Bonnett said. “We’ve just had to continue being flexible and it just gets exhausting.”

There are things people can do to keep themselves mentally healthy despite the difficulties COVID-19 and all the changes it has brought.

Self-care is particularly important, according to Bloch.

“If your tank is empty, you will not be able to do your job and take care of your family and yourself,” she said. “It is not sustainable long term in any stressor to not be taking breaks.”

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Self-care could include going for walks, talking to friends, getting away from someone’s typical environment, movement, meditation or prayer, writing, art, hunting or anything else that recharges you.

“Improving long-term resilience is not about toughening up and taking more on your plate, it's about taking good care of yourself to increase the ability to be strong,” Bloch said. “Give yourself a break when you find yourself being too harsh, make room for it. We are all going through something hard right now. Improving your long-term resilience is all about self-care.”

Tips for staying mentally healthy

  • Take time for self-care.

  • Get enough sleep, proper nutrition, rest and exercise.

  • Seek connection and support from friends, and if needed, professionals.

  • Keep routines in place to help ground you.

  • Be gentle with yourself and others.

  • Spend time outside.

  • Focus on what you can control — your thoughts, behaviors and perspectives. Focus on what you have done and accomplished, even if it is less than before.

  • Consider getting a pet or spending time with animals.

  • Get accurate health information from reputable sources.

  • Seek professional help from a therapist or a doctor. If needed, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

A 1999 graduate of Jackson County Central and a 2003 graduate of Augsburg College, Kari Lucin started writing for newspapers in Minnesota and North Dakota in 2006. During her time as a reporter, she covered beats including education, watershed, county and agriculture, and frequently wrote about health and science. She has also served as an online content coordinator and an engagement specialist at various Forum Communications properties. She was a marketing assistant at Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville for two years, where she did design work in addition to writing and social media management.

Lucin is currently a community editor with the Globe of Worthington.

Email: klucin@dglobe.com
Phone: (507) 376-7319

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