Viewpoint: COVID brought us a second pandemic — the mental health crisis

The onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic has not only resulted in a devastating loss of lives and livelihoods, but has also gifted us with a second pandemic that remains largely invisible: the mental health crisis. While the physical health implications of the virus have attracted significant attention, the consequential impact on mental well-being has often been overlooked. Lives have been affected and altered beyond what is fathomable. Meanwhile, the global village is content to proverbially bury its head in the sand and hope to ignore the problem away.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted normal life as we know it in ways previously unimaginable. The extended periods of isolation, financial insecurity, fear of infection, and the loss of loved ones have coalesced and taken a toll on individuals' mental well-being. Feelings of anxiety, depression, stress and loneliness are universal, creating an overwhelming psychological burden that affects people of all ages, backgrounds and socioeconomic status. Lives have been affected and altered, and meanwhile, the global village is content to proverbially bury its head in the sand and hope to ignore the problem away.

The pandemic has confirmed the sharply delineated reality of mental health inequality. Vulnerable populations, including the homeless, persons of color, the incarcerated, low-income individuals, essential workers, the elderly and young children, are particularly defenseless against the detrimental effects of the crisis. Deficient and restrictive access to quality mental health care services, social support systems and coping mechanisms aggravate their struggles. The impact on younger children and teenagers, with disrupted education and social connections, might just be the genesis for long-term negative consequences on their mental well-being.

As someone who works closely with these vulnerable populations, I am sounding the alarm on how their livelihoods are already hemorrhaging from trauma fueled by our collective indifference. Perhaps, much like with the previous pandemic, we shall start to pay attention when we can no longer explain away the rising numbers.

To combat this silent pandemic, it is peremptory for governments, health care systems, advocacy entities, concerned individuals, and communities to prioritize mental health alongside physical health. A plethora of proposals that ensure accessible, affordable and comprehensive mental health care services are essential. This includes increasing mental health resources, funding and training for health care professionals and expanding telehealth services to reach individuals in remote areas. It also requires a devotion to studies and research on the traumatic effects of widespread plagues on mental health.

Locally, there is a pressing need to educate and enlighten our various communities to the fact that jail is not a practicable substitute for mental health or recovery facilities. Our jails have been transformed into default emergency holding centers for individuals needing in-patient mental health and recovery services. We must also be willing to admit that the current mental health crisis is fueled, largely in part, by an abundance of drugs which are easily accessible. Mostly, those with the means are both beneficiaries and victims of substance use and mental crisis.

Societal stigma surrounding mental health erects barriers to seeking help and compounds the crisis. It is critical to engage in open discourse and educate the public about mental health issues, buoying up empathy and understanding. Employers and educational institutions must create environments that bolster mental well-being, supporting their staff and students with resources and accommodations when needed. We must destigmatize mental health and recognize that mental health issues are a public health concern globally.

Individuals must prioritize their mental well-being by embracing healthy coping mechanisms such as exercise, practicing mindfulness, maintaining social correspondence, and seeking professional help when required. We must foster a culture of compassion, providing a safe space for individuals to discuss their mental health.

Recognizing that we are experiencing a second pandemic in the form of mental health, and taking comprehensive measures to address it are momentous. By prioritizing mental health in our post-pandemic recovery efforts and embracing a collective effort, we can create a resilient society that supports and empowers those grappling with the unseen impacts of this crisis.

Henry Mudari is a mental health social worker with the St. Joseph County Police Department Crisis Services Unit. The views and opinions he expresses are his own and do not represent the Police Department.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Mental health crisis is the second pandemic.