Mental Health Awareness During the Pandemic

Mental Health Awareness during the Pandemic

COVID-19 took the world by storm beginning in March 2020. It was the first time the world was unanimously affected by a virus and not something that was just a news topic for people to discuss during their morning coffee. Businesses were forced to shut down and people were forced to stay in their homes with no ending of quarantine in sight.

This did a big number on mental health cases across the globe with people losing their jobs or dealing with depression from loneliness or other feelings they never felt before. For many people, going to work or school was an escape from realities they had to face at home such as toxic living environments with family members. The mandated quarantine meant that those who used these outings as escapes had to stay home and face what they wanted to stay away from. Some also don’t have healthy familial relationships or a social circle to keep up with so being forced to stay at home alone brings loneliness and depression.

With these mental health instabilities also came the heavy fear for our lives not wanting to catch the virus and potentially die from it. This pandemic serves as another reminder to take mental health seriously as it has become more taboo over the years. With the need for more focus on mental health, it also means more resources need to be provided.

There are many resources out there but not enough awareness of these services. Below is a link to mental health resources, including accessibility assistance and mental health hotlines, accessible in Sonoma County.