The Silent Pandemic - Mental Health BY MICHELLE STEWART When the COVID-19 pandemic spread throughout the world,
charge for ensuring programs, including those targeting mental
little was known about the virus at the time.
health issues, moved forward during the pandemic.
Like other pandemics throughout history, it caused tides of fear
“We partnered with three organizations who worked with teens
and misinformation. Paired with forced isolation, not only did
and adults and were able to provide access to mental health
the virus spread, but so did another more silent symptom—
services and training,” she said.
mental health issues.
One of those organizations was REFORM, Inc., a non-profit
“We are witnessing universal trauma as a nation and a state,”
organization that works with Arkansas youth ages 5-29, to
said Dr. Rhonda Mattox, AMHC commissioner and board-
teach them independent living skills and how to be leaders in
certified psychiatrist. “Social isolation, grief, uncertainty, and
the community.
risk of rapid death have taken a toll on all of us to some degree.
Melrita Johnson, founder and executive director of REFORM,
The fear of losing loved ones along with our disruptions in financial security have compounded all of this.” As a result of these matters, rates of drug and alcohol use, depression, anxiety and worry have increased.
Inc., hosted the organization’s first virtual National Youth, Teen and Young Adult Empowerment Expo earlier this year. “We wanted to present information on suicide prevention, especially with what was going on with COVID-19,” Johnson
Public health colleagues of Dr. Mattox have warned physicians
said. “A lot of the students were struggling with isolation from
to prepare for a pending mental health crisis, but based on her
their friends, not feeling like they were being successful in the
latest encounters, the crisis is already here.
classroom and didn’t feel prepared for the grade they were in.”
“It has come upon us like a tsunami,” Dr. Mattox said. “People
According to Johnson, mental health is anything that affects the
are speaking openly about needing and getting mental health
way you live, laugh, love and learn. If this topic isn’t addressed
treatment. Yet mental health professionals are making an
throughout the state and those who are affected aren’t taught
exodus at alarming rates.”
how to navigate through these mental and emotional effects of
Because of this, more organizations have become proactive,
COVID-19, the outcome could be detrimental.
working to fill the gaps and providing resources to communities to battle these effects. ShaRhonda Love, former AMHC director, led the agency’s
For mental health support, resources, educational materials and more, visit NAMI Arkansas at namiarkansas.org.
AMHC 2021
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