The challenges related to COVID-19 are complex and numerous, however the issues most central to our behavioral health during the COVID-19 pandemic include:
- Stress and its impact on our body
- Excess worry about ourselves, our family and friends, and our future
- Grieving and loss, whether that be the death of a loved one or sorrow related to our normal daily activities being taken away from us
- The challenge of caring for ourselves and our loved ones during unprecedented circumstances
- Concern for our front line and essential workers
- Seeing mental health symptoms appear that we have never experienced before, or having past symptoms recur and grow
- Feeling the urge to use alcohol, drugs, or other substances to distract and numb us from what is going on
These issues emphasize the fact that we cannot ignore our behavioral health during the course of this pandemic. Instead, by focusing on our behavioral health, we can put effort into something that we can control, which feels good compared to the uncontrollable nature of the rest of the pandemic. By focusing on our behavioral health, we are also helping ourselves become stronger and more resilient to the impact of COVID-19.
Return to TopCOVID-19 and Behavioral Health
In early 2020, people around the world became acutely aware of the COVID-19 pandemic. The unpredictability, uncontrollability, and uncertain duration of this pandemic has produced an extremely stressful living experience for most of us. This means that not only is our physical health at risk due to the COVID-19 virus, but so is our behavioral health. In fact, experts around the world agree that the complex challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic are expected to have a lasting impact on our behavioral health.