Mental Health Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic Essay Sample

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have many effects on society today, it lingers on other issues, as it negatively affects America’s overall mental health care. Mental health is a common issue in society today with many questions and conversations surrounding the significant topic. There are many factors that play into the increase of physiological problems and as confirmed through research from the BMC Physiatry, CDC, and Worthington Daily Globe, COVID-19 plays a significant role in that. Issues arising in society are being proven, with research, for being in relation to the virus. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to negatively impact the mental health of American Society.

RECENT STUDIES PROVE PANDEMIC’S DETRIMENTAL EFFECTS

Research provided in studies points to the pandemic as the cause of recent mental health diagnoses in America. Mental Health outcomes from research by the BMC Psychiatry, prove an increase in stress, anxiety, and depression because of the pandemic. Research provided by BMC Psychiatry, states “We measured mental health outcomes including symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress using validated scales” (Pang, 2021, p.2). These studies provide evidence that confirms the outcome of mental health effects on a large scale of society, resulting from COVID-19. Similarly, the research proves the estimated outcome of symptoms from the COVID-19 pandemic as a significant problem. For example, there has been an increase in anxiety and depression in the United States resulting from the unusualness of nationwide isolation. Participants from the BMC Psychiatry conduct a study with eye care professionals and ask for the effects COVID-19 has had on that field of study. Pang (2021) shares “In order to protect eye care professionals and students from mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and physiological stress during COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to identify factors associated with the risk for these mental health issues among this population” (p.3).  This study from BMC Psychiatry shows students’ response to the rise of mental health issues facing healthcare, as eye care professionals today, through the risks involved with COVID-19 and patients. Students from the BMC Psychiatry organization, respond to the risks of mental health they have faced in their field of study. Many students are faced with depression, anxiety, and psychological stress from the health care system due to COVID-19. Pang (2021) elaborates on his research, stating “Lastly, participants were asked what aspect of life had positively or negatively impacted their mental health, as well as what activities helped them maintain mental health which is not included in the analysis since they are not the focus of the study” (p.2). Participants respond to the causes and effects of the negative ways the pandemic has impacted their occupations. As a result, COVID-19 had corrupted the health care system of mental and eye care, as it determinately affects society in all aspects of life.  

COVID-19 INCREASES SPIKE IN DEATHS AND DIAGNOSES ACROSS AMERICA 

Research shared by the CDC proves the significant increase in suicide attempts among young adults due to the pandemic and its effects. the trusted CDC organization states, “According to the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, emergency department visits for suspected suicide attempts among adolescents jumped 31% in 2020, compared with 2019” (Vestal, 2021, p.1). A significant increase in suicide rates has risen in 2020, compared to 2019. American students in college have reported frequent episodes of anxiety and stress resulting from COVID-19. Mental Health is increasing significantly among American students in colleges because of COVID-19 and being more susceptible to episodes of stress, due to their mental health. Pang (2021) states, “Mental health difficulties are already alarmingly prevalent among college students, particularly in the United States, with every eight in ten students experiencing frequent stress episodes in 2019” (p.2). COVID-19 is affecting all ages and walks of life, as included in this research study, college-aged students are being heavily affected. The average American college student faces enough stress on a normal day, but now has the added pressures associated with learning virtually, new levels of stress, and missing out on normal college experiences, due to the pandemic isolation. Vestal (2021) provides research from the CDC stating that “According to the CDC, 7.1% of children ages 3-17 had a diagnosis of anxiety and 3.2% had a diagnosis of depression” (p.4). An increase in anxiety and depression has resulted from COVID-19 and has escalated diagnosis in American children who have been affected. Similarly, as American children and teens are experiencing a diagnosis of depression and anxiety, adults are too. The increase of depression and anxiety has led to more cases of suicide and other mental health diagnoses; each problem results from a common factor of COVID-19. 

AMERICANS ARE STILL COPING WITH THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF COVID-19

Many Americans are facing uprising challenges as a result of the pandemic in the United States. An article by the Worthington Daily Globe states, “More than a year after the COVID-19 the pandemic began impacting lives, mental health professionals are still helping people deal with issues stemming from the virus...” (Lucin, 2021, p.1). Mental health care workers are facing a substantial increase in the number of diagnoses and patients they are required to care for. As a result, many health care workers are dealing with these issues resulting from COVID-19 and discovering the difficult challenge that it is. Mental health has become a new conversation that has gained popularity as more research is being done on its effects and causes from the pandemic. A remarkable point was made by (Lucin 2021) stating, “Students who have been looking forward to a life event such as a field trip or a graduation ceremony may not have been able to have them, or may have had them in a different form than was expected; those losses can be hard and students do grieve them” (p.2). These students are facing issues because of COVID-19, which they are not experienced enough to handle. Similarly, as students are unsure how to process emotions of missing out on lifetime events, students are gaining mental health problems. According to Vestal (2021), “The grief, anxiety, and depression children have experienced during the pandemic is welling over into classrooms and hallways, resulting in crying and disruptive behavior in many younger kids and increased violence and bullying among adolescents” (p.1). Young children are having behavioral issues in school classrooms due to the major changes they are experiencing at a young age. Teachers and parents are concerned about the mental health problems rising up in children so young and wondering how that might affect the future generation of American society. The impacts of COVID-19 are negatively affecting students of all ages and resulting in depression, stress, and anxiety as young people do not know how to cope properly with these long-term changes.

SOLUTION

The COVID-19 Pandemic brought about many disruptive factors into the average life in America; however, there are significant ways to improve the setback from the pandemic outbreak. In an article published by the Worthington Daily Globe, self-care is set as the solution to mental health factors caused by COVID-19. The trusted article states, “Self-care could include going for walks, talking to friends, getting away from someone’s typical environment, movement, meditation or prayer, writing, art, hunting or anything else that recharges you” (Lucin, 2021, p.3). As a result of these solutions, Americans can find peace amidst difficult times of depression and anxiety. Society is encouraged to try these self-care tips to distract them from the current environment and provide a safe and healthy escape to peace, through exercise, prayer, and activities.

CONCLUSION

The long-lasting effects of COVID-19 are impacting the health care field, everyday society, and mental health across America. The isolation and separation from the pandemic have caused a significant increase in mental health diagnoses. Similarly, health care workers are impacted as the rise of patients increase. As a result, researchers are looking for solutions to help the pandemic crisis and provide ways for Americans to cope with their mental health through exercise and self-care. The detrimental and long-lasting effects of depression, suicide, and anxiety prove how COVID-19 negatively impacts our society and American citizens’ overall, mental health.