7 minute read
Focusing on Mental Health
by Mary Elizabeth Lonergan
As state legislators work to better combat COVID-19 with vaccine rollouts, some focus is shifting toward healing the mental health toll the pandemic created. “To me, it’s been something that was ignored,” said Delaware state Rep. David Bentz. “Now we’ve seen, luckily, a real change in people’s thought process. Mental health is part of complete health and we need to get the message out that it is OK to seek help.” Nationally, Americans have struggled with their mental health since before the arrival of COVID-19, but in many cases the virus exacerbated their suffering. Pew Research Center found that 33% of Americans have experienced high levels of psychological distress at some point during the extended period of social distancing and isolation in the effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. That same survey found that 55% of adults who describe their financial situation as poor have experienced high levels of distress, as have half of those who report having a disability that keeps them from fully participating in activities. The American Psychological Association Stress in America 2020 survey found 78% of adults count the coronavirus pandemic as a major source of stress in their life; 49% say their behavior has been negatively affected. Seventy-one percent of those surveyed say the pandemic is the lowest point in our nation’s history. “Increasingly we referred to it as a society in despair,” said Dr. Wayne Lindstrom, vice president of Business Development and Consulting at RI International, an organization delivering mental health and substance use solutions and care. “We had the opioid crisis, increasing suicide rates, people feeling isolated and cut off, and that was all before COVID. If that’s the context before COVID, it wouldn’t be much of a leap to think COVID has exacerbated this — and it has.”
Vermont state Rep. Anne Donahue, a mental health survivor and advocate, agrees. “The most significant issues are anxiety and depression stemming from the degree of isolation that people are experiencing,” she said. “People need people: it’s true for recovery, which comes about most significantly through support of peers, but the reverse is true when we are cut off
s t r e s s i n g MENTAL
In the wake of COVID-19, mental health tops the list of concerns for several legislators across the country HEALTH
from our direct, usual social interactions and supports.” Some worry about those who are not reaching out for help they may need. “The pandemic has exposed cracks in our system,” said Bentz. “We need to make sure we treat mental health the same way we do all health care […] making sure mental health is prioritized as it should be. […] I am worried a lot more is happening in secret under the radar. There’s a much larger toll on people’s health than just the COVID virus.”
In 2019, The Society for Human Resource Management said that less than 10% of Employee Assistance Programs designed to improve mental health are utilized by employees. As a physician, Oregon state Sen. Elizabeth Steiner Hayward has a keen awareness of the mental health impact of the virus as well as the impact felt by the states and constituents. “We need to understand and promote evidence-based standards, practices and evidence-based treatment, and do what The most significant issues are anxiety and depression stemming from the degree of isolation that people are experiencing. People need people: it’s true for recovery, which comes about most “ significantly through support of peers, but the reverse is true when we are cut off from our direct, usual social interactions and supports.”
— VERMONT REP. ANNE DONAHUE
we can to inform an adequate workforce,” Steiner Hayward said. “Every person who has mental health issues doesn’t need a psychiatrist. On the other hand, they may need culturally competent people, culturally specific treatment options and evidence-based [strategies].” Young people are paying possibly the greatest price in the mental health fallout.
“What I’m hearing about the most is kids and the social isolation of kids and elderly. We are seeing kids with depression and anxiety,” said Steiner Hayward. “If you think of the middle school crowd and you take kids who lost a year of their life, you’ve lost this important social and development time.”
Wisconsin Senator and CSG National Chair Joan Ballweg has worked within the legislature to create solutions for teens struggling with mental health issues. “I spoke to our speaker about creating a task force on suicide prevention. He agreed, and it’s 13 bipartisan members, with a focus on youth, farmers, veterans and first responders,” Ballweg said. “We tailored our meetings to target these groups.” Ballweg said that youth, farmers, veterans and first responders struggle with suicide and need support systems they can rely on. “Behavioral health is so difficult to get your head around,” she said. “There is still quite a stigma when it comes to confronting individual struggling and those around them when it comes to that realization all of these things.” Both Ballweg and Lindstrom shared the new national number for suicide prevention and help. By dialing 988, callers will be connected with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Mental health crisis counselors staff the line and are able to provide support and help for callers.
33% 78%
of Americans have experienced high levels of psychological distress since COVID-19 count the coronavirus pandemic as a major source of stress in their life
Despite the COVID-19 mental health outcome, 71% of American adults still feel hopeful about the future, according to the American Psychological Association. Still, the government must continue to work to find solutions, according to Donahue.
“Mental health is a crucial component of public health; our public health departments must be reaching out to address population health in all arenas, which includes mental wellness,” she said. “There needs to be state leadership in ensuring fully equitable access and integrated care from insurers and providers, barring discrimination based upon disability status and confronting stigma.” If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health on account of COVID-19 or for any other reason, please seek help at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Helpline:
1-800-662-4357
49% 72%
Source: American Psychological Association Stress in America 2020 survey
CSG Partnership with The Commonwealth Fund Highlights Social Isolation, Other Mental Health Issues
by Sean Slone
A year of quarantines and social distancing prompted by the coronavirus and older adults are at increased risk for loneliness and social isolation pandemic compounded a growing concern in the mental health field — because they are more likely to live alone and experience the loss of an epidemic of social isolation and loneliness. family and friends, chronic illness and hearing loss. Social isolation is one of four mental health topics that are a focus this For the general population, health researchers are concerned about year for a partnership between The Council of State Governments and short- and long-term public health and behavioral complications from The Commonwealth Fund, a New York-based foundation that promotes prolonged isolation, including substance abuse, domestic violence, “a high performing health care system.” Other topic areas highlighted obesity and suicide. A growing body of evidence indicates social are maternal mental health, social determinants of mental health and isolation significantly increases the risk of premature death. A 2015 mental health insurance parity. CSG has convened a 20-member advisory group of state legislators and executive branch health officials from across the country and four subject matter experts. The group will guide, shape and “ This crisis will continue well beyond the public health emergency and well after safety measures like analysis by Brigham Young University psychology and neuroscience expert Julianne Holt-Lunstad and others found the risk for untimely death increased by 26% for those experiencing loneliness, 29% for those experiencing social isolation contribute to research into each focus area, highlighting innovative legislation, successful state programs and departmental initiatives and clinic-level interventions. That research will inform a new CSG resource guide for policymakers, providing a roadmap for addressing some of the most pressing mental health challenges, including one that is likely to receive renewed attention even as the pandemic recedes. social distancing are lifted.” and 32% for those living alone. The Coalition to End Social Isolation and Loneliness is a Washington, D.C.-based membership organization that disseminates research findings, advocates for federal and state legislative and regulatory policy interventions and builds public awareness. Andrew MacPherson, the group’s founder and co-director, will serve on the 20-member advisory group convened Many populations already at high risk for social isolation and loneliness by CSG. have been among those disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, including older adults, people of color, low-income earners and those in nursing homes and prisons. According to a 2020 report from the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, nearly one-fourth of adults 65 and older are considered to be socially isolated, “This crisis will continue well beyond the public health emergency and well after safety measures like social distancing are lifted,” said MacPherson. “It is critical that states act now to support individuals who are experiencing isolation and loneliness in order to protect their mental health today and the worsening of associated negative health care impacts well into the future.”
