Dealing With Depression During COVID-19
How do you manage stress in a COVID world?
What Causes Depression?
Per the CDC (n,d,),"depression has no known cause, but is believed to result from several genetic, biochemical, environmental, or psychological factors. Depression is treatable in 80 percent of cases."
Why Treat and Address Depression?
According to the CDC (n.d.), "living with untreated depression presents a serious public health problem. Depression complicates chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and stroke; increases healthcare costs; and often accompanies functional impairment and disability." Additionally, "worldwide, people with a mental health condition have significantly higher morbidity and mortality from chronic disease contribution to a reduced life expectancy of a median of 10 years, compared to the general population" (Fehily, et al., 2020).
How Will Treatment Help Me?
The CDC state (n.d.), "effective treatment reduces depressive symptoms and secondary symptoms such as pain, and improves functioning and quality of life."
Exacerbation of interpersonal risk factors for suicide due to physical distancing requirements and psychosocial stressors during COVID-19 (eg, social isolation, loneliness, lack of connection, perceived burdensomeness, interpersonal violence)
-
Maintain social connectedness through virtual and phone communications or while outdoors (eg, in nature)
-
Engage in meaningful, value-driven activities that promote “pulling together” as communities (eg, remote volunteering, helping more vulnerable community members)
-
Ensure that COVID-19 survivors are not stigmatized or discriminated against
-
Disseminate information regarding free web-based applications to cope with interpersonal stress (eg, AIMS for Anger Management, Mood Coach, Parenting2Go, Stair Coacha)
-
Messaging about interpersonal violence resources within rural communities and nationally (eg, National Domestic Violence Hotline, National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline, Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline) and actions (eg, safety planning)
-
Disseminate resources and support to facilitate parental coping and appropriate disciplinary strategies during periods of stress
-
Increase interpersonal violence screening by healthcare providers
​
(Monteith, Holliday, Brown, Brenner, & Mohatt, 2020)
Suicide Rates Since COVID - 19
Suicide has increased since the start of the worldwide pandemic of COVID-19; much like it has in previous pandemics due to fear and anxiety. The uncertainty of what the future will hold and isolation is a perfect recipe for depression. The added stress and anxiety can lead to sleep disturbances adding the the mental health toll on your body and lead to an increased risk of suicide (Le et al., 2020).
There are disparities between urban and rural communities with the rate of suicide climbing significantly in rural communities (Riblet et al., 2020).
The Journey Towards Health Begins on the Path of Self Love. Begin Your Journey Today.