COVID-19 has dramatically changed our way of life. While many are focused on the physical health and economic aspects of the pandemic, it is essential to also prioritize how the quarantine has affected people’s mental and emotional health.
“… it is essential to prioritize how the quarantine has affected people’s mental and emotional health.”
Prior to COVID-19, the U.S. was in the midst of a mental health crisis due to increased demand with insufficient response and the pandemic has worsened this issue. The restrictions imposed by COVID-19, while preventative and necessary, have social consequences and have created many subsequent stressors. This includes job loss, which leads to financial stress and food insecurity both of which have disproportionately affected people of color (POC). This, coupled with uncertainty about the future, leads many to feelings of anxiety, depression and isolation. These are normal reactions to a complicated and unpredicted event and these responses should not be pathologized. History proves that severe illness and death rates tend to be higher for racial and ethnic minority populations during public health emergencies than for other populations. Read More…
