Mental Health During the (Pandemic) Holidays
Art by Helen Cui
As has been said thousands of times before, the pandemic has been a trying time for everyone. Americans have to deal with unwanted stress from drastic changes in schools, trying to recover from job losses and other economic effects, or grieving over the loss of loved ones as a result of the virus, as many hundreds of thousands have done over the past ten months. With such challenging circumstances, many have found themselves with strained mental health. Around 45% of adults in the United States reported that their mental health “has been negatively impacted due to worry and stress over the virus” (PCDC). Additionally, people with preexisting mental health issues have continued to see a decline in wellness, worsening conditions that were already severe.
While school breaks are often very fun and exciting times for students, allowing a break from the pressures of school and time with friends and family, the winter of late 2020 represented precisely the opposite; planning for the holidays is a lot of work, and spending time with family can seem this way as well. Around 64% of people with mental illness report holidays make their conditions worse, often adding suffering with ‘seasonal depression,’ and the winter can sometimes exacerbate loneliness or stress. Though the holidays are often a time for celebration and rejoicing, the coronavirus adds further challenges, however, as many families had to spend this year’s season coping with feelings of change and loss of control as many traditions were hindered. Change is difficult, and at a very minimum people have had to confront the lack of normalcy this holiday season. When stress levels are highest, it is often tough to regroup and realize that one is struggling with mental health, which is why awareness is so crucial. While it is important to still have fun and reconnect with people as much and as safely possible, we have to be realistic with everything that has changed and we must understand the importance of recognizing our emotions and current situations even if they are hard to process. Spending time with only a handful of people within one’s personal bubble can be hard too, which is why it’s important to set aside differences and be patient, knowing that even family dynamics will probably have to change in some way, and also that others are probably struggling as well.
Of course, mental health is not just a problem during the holidays. Even though it has become an obstacle during the pandemic, mental health aid has become, in many ways, more difficult than it was prior to COVID. Only a small amount of the trillions of dollars dedicated to confronting the pandemic has been allocated to mental health, despite its clear significance to Americans’ livelihoods. Furthermore, it has been much more difficult for people to have healthy amounts of social interaction, which is a crucial part of growth and development. Having access to people you feel safe around is especially important for those who need to reach out for help, especially with more serious mental illnesses. Being exposed to screens all day only adds to the problem.
There are many strategies that one can employ to maintain positive mental health during COVID. Little ways to regain any lost sense of control, like planning ahead or spending time consciously, are good strategies to cope with change. Practicing gratitude and giving back to one’s community are also always good ideas. Make sure to leave time to relax, and not fill up one’s time with too much stress, a trap which is especially easy for students to fall into. Staying physically active as well as spending time in nature, whenever possible, is also important. Most importantly though, acknowledge your feelings and reach out for support. It can be hard, but remember you are not alone.
Mental Health Hotline (24/7 service, available for all): 1-800-273-8255
Sources
“Preparing For The Holidays During COVID-19.” Mental Health America. Accessed January 6, 2021. https://mhanational.org/preparing-holidays-during-covid-19.
“COVID-19 and Behavioral Health.” Primary Care Development Corporation. Accessed January 6, 2021. https://www.pcdc.org/covid-19-and-behavioral-health/?creative=467448378955&keyword=behavioral%20health%20and%20covid-19&matchtype=b&network=g&device=c&gclid=CjwKCAiArbv_BRA8EiwAYGs23Jv_QsI82Pwb0odG0ON_iAt0Y-heBz0BPmxQiD3c6D-mHeeT9vsfsxoCR8oQAvD_BwE.
You said it adequately..
online no deposit casino [url=https://bestonlinecasinoreal.us/]vegas x online casino real money[/url] vegas 7 online casino
Fine write ups. Cheers.
[url=https://helpwithdissertationwriting.com/]proquest dissertations[/url] dissertation meaning [url=https://dissertationwritingtops.com/]dissertation abstracts[/url] dissertation paper
Excellent tips. Thank you!
[url=https://essaytyperhelp.com/]essaypro[/url] help me write an essay [url=https://helptowriteanessay.com/]essay writing help[/url] college application essay help
Very good forum posts, Thanks a lot.
[url=https://topswritingservices.com/]essay writing site[/url] coursework writing service [url=https://essaywriting4you.com/]writing an essay outline[/url] buy essay writing service
Lovely facts, Thank you!
[url=https://domyhomeworkformecheap.com/]reddit do my homework[/url] do my programming homework [url=https://domycollegehomeworkforme.com/]do my chemistry homework[/url] do my homework for me
Superb posts. Cheers.
[url=https://quality-essays.com/]pay for essay[/url] buy essays [url=https://buyanessayscheaponline.com/]order essay[/url] buy college essays
You actually mentioned this perfectly!
[url=https://customthesiswritingservice.com/]thesis statment[/url] research thesis [url=https://writingthesistops.com/]thesis template[/url] thesis writing service
You have made your point.
[url=https://writinganessaycollegeservice.com/]personal statement writing service[/url] essay writing paper [url=https://essayservicehelp.com/]best online resume writing service[/url] writing a personal essay
You actually suggested this fantastically.
[url=https://dissertationwritingtops.com/]dissertation abstracts[/url] phd dissertation [url=https://helpwritingdissertation.com/]dissertation editing[/url] dissertation abstracts international
Regards. I like it.
[url=https://bestpaperwritingservice.com/]pay someone to write paper[/url] cheap research paper writing service [url=https://bestonlinepaperwritingservices.com/]custom paper[/url] pay for research paper
Good knowledge. With thanks!
[url=https://writingpaperforme.com/]write paper for me[/url] how to write a reaction paper [url=https://custompaperwritersservices.com/]writing paper[/url] paper writers for college
Wow plenty of useful data!
[url=https://service-essay.com/]pay for papers[/url] custom research paper writing services [url=https://custompaperwritingservices.com/]paper help[/url] custom research paper writing services
Thanks a lot. I enjoy this.
essay writing guide [url=https://essaywritingservicelinked.com/]has anyone used essay writing services[/url] cv writing service near me [url=https://essaywritingservicetop.com/]essay writing service reddit[/url] what is the best essay writing service uk resume writing for customer service jobs [url=https://theessayswriters.com/]how to teach my child to write an essay[/url] how can i pay someone to write my essay [url=https://bestcheapessaywriters.com/]the essay writer[/url] superior essay writers
Nicely put. Regards!
pro essay writing service reviews [url=https://writinganessaycollegeservice.com/]list of essay writing services[/url] ielts writing assessment service [url=https://essayservicehelp.com/]essay service reviews[/url] freelance article writing service term paper writing service [url=https://homeworkcourseworkhelps.com/]do my acees homework[/url] i wanna do you like my homework [url=https://helpmedomyxyzhomework.com/]i tried to do my homework poem by kenn nesbitt[/url] a app that will do my math homework
Good data. Thank you.
college essay writing services [url=https://service-essay.com/]buy college paper[/url] analytical essay paper writing service [url=https://custompaperwritingservices.com/]finished custom writing paper[/url] academic paper writing service uk essay writing service in london [url=https://writinganessaycollegeservice.com/]ebook writing service[/url] essay writing topics [url=https://essayservicehelp.com/]writing an essay introduction[/url] paper writing service in us
Many thanks! Plenty of content!
application essay writing service [url=https://essaywritingservicehelp.com/]college essays writing[/url] essay review service [url=https://essaywritingservicebbc.com/]custom writing service[/url] will writing service belfast uk essay writing service reviews [url=https://essaywritingservicelinked.com/]paper writing services legitimate[/url] top 10 custom essay writing services [url=https://essaywritingservicetop.com/]trustworthy essay writing services[/url] order essay writing service
Thanks, Quite a lot of tips.
essay writing help free [url=https://essayssolution.com/]write my assignment for me uk[/url] write my essay reddit [url=https://cheapessaywriteronlineservices.com/]write my essay paper[/url] do my essay overnight order essay writing service [url=https://phdthesisdissertation.com/]bestdissertation[/url] dissertation hypothesis help [url=https://writeadissertation.com/]phd proposal[/url] phd dissertation assistance
Regards. I value this!
[url=https://studentessaywriting.com/]writing services[/url] best paper writing service [url=https://essaywritingserviceahrefs.com/]essay writing prompts[/url] top ten essay writing services
Thank you, Ample data.
essay writing service article [url=https://payforanessaysonline.com/]buy custom essays online[/url] buy nursing essay [url=https://buycheapessaysonline.com/]buy critical essay[/url] buy an essay online reviews profile writing service [url=https://hireawriterforanessay.com/]write my essay discount code[/url] help me write an essay for free [url=https://theessayswriters.com/]write my essay for money[/url] bird essay writer
Nicely put, Kudos.
essay writing service yahoo answers [url=https://researchproposalforphd.com/]research proposal sections[/url] custom research paper service [url=https://writingresearchtermpaperservice.com/]proposal introduction[/url] research proposal writing help high school essay writing service [url=https://phdthesisdissertation.com/]writing dissertation service[/url] order dissertation online [url=https://writeadissertation.com/]phd writer[/url] dissertation consulting service