Being Human: Covid and the current mental health crisis

The Psychological Implications of the Pandemic

"Students are at a crisis point when it comes to their mental health."

This is the refrain I’ve heard over and over again from the faculty and staff at the schools I've been in contact with recently, ranging from elementary schools all the way to colleges.

It seems that school teachers and administrators have seen a dramatic increase in students suffering with anxiety disorders, depression manifesting in suicidality, eating disorders, bullying, and self-destructive behaviors since the beginning of the pandemic.

Recent studies on behavioral and mental health symptoms in adults show similar impacts.

According to one CDC report surveying adults across the U.S. in late June of 2020, 31% of respondents reported symptoms of anxiety or depression, 13% reported having started or increased substance use, 26% reported stress-related symptoms, and 11% reported having serious thoughts of suicide in the past 30 days.

These numbers are nearly double the rates that were expected prior to the pandemic (and this study was done only four months after it started).

While this news is disturbing, it is hardly surprising. We have all - in some way - been impacted by this pandemic and all the resulting precautions and restrictions placed upon our lives.

Most notably, the pandemic has changed how we interact with one another. We've been removed from normal, real, human community for a long time now, the results of which are detrimental effects on our mental, emotional, spiritual and psychological health.

We are made by God for communion: we are made to need each other.

Needing each other means we need to see and interact with one another in relative security and safety, and being prevented from doing so has significant negative impacts on our health.

We have no sense of safety or security, no assurance that everything will be okay coming from anywhere around us in the world.

What’s the solution?!

How do we prevent a normal response to stress from turning into something more serious? Is it possible to grow from the challenges presented to us by the pandemic? How can we have peace in the midst of such an anxiety-producing time?

These are the questions I'm addressing in this week’s podcast episode!

In it, I discuss the effects of the pandemic on our mental health, how traumatic events can become opportunities for growth, the difference between adjustment disorder and post traumatic stress disorder, the psychological implications of Abandonment to Divine Providence, and more.

If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health and needs support, contact us! Our team of trained professionals offers assistance grounded in both the truth of our Faith and solid psychological research.

Did you know there are five categories of human experience that, when given time to develop, can actually help increase resiliency? Read about it here.

During the early days of the pandemic, I recorded a series of videos reflecting on how our faith can inform our response to difficult events. Click here to watch the first in the series.

God created us for relationship with Himself and with others. When either is lacking in our lives, we struggle.

As the pandemic has worn on, it has been increasingly difficult to sustain meaningful connections with others.

Whether you're struggling with loneliness, or know someone who might be, let this be a reminder to reach out and connect with others in some way this week.

Think of at least one way you can meaningfully connect with another person, and then schedule time to do so.

We all wish there were easy answers and quick fixes to the problems and difficulties in life, right? “Press this button, take this pill, buy this device: now all of your struggles are gone!”

That would be nice. But unfortunately there is nothing you can pay for that will magically transform your life.

However, this does not mean that you have to bear the burden of depression and anxiety alone, or stay stuck in patterns of unhealthy behavior!

If you are ready and willing to change and grow, and want a guide with the proper formation and understanding of the human person to walk with you through your struggles, we can help.

We love hearing from our members about how the Integrated Life community has impacted their lives. One of our members left this comment, which was awesome to read:

“Thank you, Lord, for the gift of this faith-filled community. CatholicPsych has been a gift - one my whole family has benefitted from through what I’ve learned and the work I’ve done. Truly grateful for this new stage of integration…” -J.L.

We pray that this community continues to be a blessing to you!

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