Episode 23 | COVID-19 & Mental Health

September means we are over 6 months into the pandemic. Although we have gained a little sense of normalcy back, there is still a lot of disruption in our daily lives. At the beginning, and throughout most of the pandemic, the news and talk was (and still is) focused on physical health - wash your hands, wear your mask, keep yourself healthy, protect those who are immunocompromised. But what about mental health? We know from past viral outbreaks that when people experience a disruption like COVID-19, mental health also suffers. Although on a personal level we all could probably talk about how COVID-19 has affected our mental health, we are now also finally seeing researched published on the impact of COVID-19 on mental health. In this episode of Psych Talk, I discuss the impact of COVID-19 on mental health, the factors that contribute to the declining mental health in our country and around the world, the limits of mental health care during this time, and how to cope and better your own mental health. I also provide links to published articles about COVID-19 and mental health, as well as resources that may be of use to you if you are struggling with your mental health at this time.

Mental Health Resources:
Healthline
Psychology Today
Open Path Collective

References:

• Suicide and the Great Recession of 2007-2009: The role of economic factors in the 50 U.S. States
• Factors associated with mental health outcomes among healthcare workers exposed to coronavirus disease 2019
• Public response to the novel 2019 coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in Japan: Mental health consequences and target populations
• The emotional impact of Coronavirus 2019-nCoV (new Coronavirus disease)
• Mental health strategies to combat the psychological impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) beyond paranoia and panic
• The outbreak of COVID-19 coronavirus and its impact on global mental health

Ways to Work With Me:
1:1 Coaching
Mind Over Matter
LGBTQ+ Affirming Masterclass

Resources:
Anti-Racism Resources
LGBTQ+ Affirming Resources

Connect with Me:
Follow me on IG @jessicaleighphd

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