Topline: As hospitals strain to keep up with an influx of #coronavirus patients, some #mentalhealthproviders report an increase in people seeking #mentalhealthtreatment, as #Americans report feeling anxious about the pandemic and its ramifications.
- 36% of #Americans told an #AmericanPsychiatricAssociation poll that the #pandemic has had a serious impact on their #mentalhealth, and according to a PiplSay poll, 31% of #Americans say they’re sleeping less because of #coronavirus-related #anxiety.
- As people self-quarantine, remote therapy services like and Brightside have seen an increase in demand— Talkspace told Bloomberg it experienced a 65% increase in customers since mid February and Brightside has seen a 50% increase in new users since the start of the year.
- Rhiana Holmes, a trauma therapist specializing in disaster psychology out of Denver, Colorado, has switched to virtual appointments in the name of #socialdistancing, but told Forbes there’s been an increase in people reaching out about their #mentalhealth.
- “My private practice has seen a huge uptick in new clients because people are feeling really #anxious. Interestingly, many of them don’t necessarily relate it to #coronavirus— but if someone has pre-existing conditions like #anxiety or #depression, #stress is likely to bring out problematic symptoms in light of the #pandemic,” Holmes said.
- #Depression and #anxiety “thrive on social #isolation and disruption of routine,” Holmes said, making the #coronavirus #pandemic and resulting quarantines prime for #mentalhealth upheavals.
- Down the line, more people may need treatment if they develop #anxiety, #depression or acute adjustment disorder from their time during the #pandemic, or the more extreme post-traumatic stress disorder, Holmes said.
#JamesDonaldson notes:
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space. #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
Crucial quote: “Much like how we don’t know how many asymptomatic #coronavirus carriers are going to manifest into needing care, we’re seeing the same thing in #mentalhealth,” Brightside cofounder Mimi Weinberg told Bloomberg. “All of us that are struggling with the adjustments to new circumstances, some percentage will actually manifest into clinical #anxiety or #depression.”Today In: Business
Key background: Even before #coronavirus, #America was experiencing a #mentalhealth crisis. Rates of #suicide have continued to rise in recent years, up 35% since 1999. According to the CDC, 47,000 deaths in the U.S. were attributed to #suicide, or about one death every 11 minutes, in 2017. Even more Americans consider #suicide— the same year, the CDC reported that 10.6 million people “seriously thought” about #suicide, 3.2 million made a plan and 1.4 million attempted it. By #NationalInstituteofMentalHealth estimates, 17.3 million adults in 2017 experienced a major depressive episode lasting a minimum of two weeks. Despite the prevalence of #mentalhealthissues, it’s a subject many Americans want to keep hidden, with some reports suggesting as many as 80% of people who need help with their #mentalhealth don’t seek it out because of #stigma associated with treatment.
Tangent: #Adults aren’t the only ones feeling the stress of the #pandemic. #Children have reported feeling anxious and scared about #coronavirus. The jury is still out on whether prolonged quarantining will affect today’s children in the long term, whether it be emotional or in terms of educational attainment. However, just like adults, sticking to schedules can help children cope during the tumultuous time of a #pandemic and prevent further trauma, Holmes said.
Surprising fact: #Depression can be expensive. It costs the U.S. economy $210 billion a year, about half of which costs employers via missed work and lost productivity, according to Bloomberg.
If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress, there are resources available. The #NationalSuicidePreventionLifeline is a free, 24/7 and confidential service for people experiencing a suicidal crisis or emotional distress at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Crisis Text Line is a free service to provide access to crisis counselors by text 24/7 at 741-741. A list of local #suicide hotlines by state can be found here.
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
