COVID-19 has brought tremendous challenges and changes to the world, and many
adversities including a myriad of health implications, influencing the psychological well-being of
the United States citizens. Mental Health America (2021) reported that through a mental health
screening program “From January to September 2020, there was a 93% increase over the 2019
total number of anxiety screens,” and a “62% increase in depression over the 2019 total number
of depression screens” (Mental health, 2021, p. 2). The damage of the pandemic is evident.
Research and studies like the screening program mentioned by Mental Health America (2021)
demonstrate a big connection between the virus and the detriment of the population’s emotional
health. The COVID-19 virus has had a big impact on mental well-being, leading to an increase in
stress and anxiety, depression and emotional distress, and a rise in demand for mental health
services.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Center for Control and Disease Prevention (CDC),
mandated people isolate and practice social distancing as a measure to prevent the spread of the
virus (Department of Health, n.d), distressing the psychological well-being of the population and
leading to an increase in stress and anxiety. Facts and studies support the claim that isolation and
social distancing have hurt emotional well-being. Mental Health America (2022) mentions that
the spread of the virus resulted in “greater mortality,” but that it has also affected the “mental
health of the population.” (p, 3). The isolation and social distance measures taken to prevent the
spread of COVID-19 decreased social interactions causing feelings of anxiety and loneliness
between people and due to the lack of emotional support, causing tension and a high risk of
developing mental health disorders. However, there are not only disadvantages to mental health,
related to COVID-19.
Although isolation and social distance measures have negatively impacted mental health,
it is important to note that this is not the case for everyone, and that COVID-19 also has positive
benefits to mental health. some people have benefited from isolation and social distance
measures because it has allowed more time to focus on self-care and personal hobbies,
additionally, others found ways to stay connected through virtual channels which helped reduce
the feelings of anxiety and loneliness. However, the outbreak had positive effects, but it also
negatively affected the mental health of citizens. Unfortunately, these negative impacts are likely
to outweigh those positive benefits because of the pandemic the (CDC) has been implementing
protocols for social distancing and isolation to prevent the spread of the virus causing an increase
in tension and fear and having negative impacts on emotional wellbeing. Beyond that, COVID-
19 has also increased depression and emotional distress.
Disruption of daily routines, habits, and activities during the pandemic led to an increased
rate of depression and emotional distress, the university of Cambridge (2021) stated that “The
lockdowns resulted in drastic changes to patterns of time use, disrupting routines and blurring the
distinction between work and family Life."(University of Cambridge, 2021) Some facts and
studies support this claim. According to an article published by Grace McMahon et al., in the
National Library of Medicine (NIH) a study performed in a group of individuals, a few months
after the pandemic started, “39.5% of individuals reported clinical levels of depression
evidencing the risk for mental health disorder onset,” the majority because of the health
measures, which predicted bigger depression signs, and the “lower levels of social
connectedness,” a notorious influence for despair (McMahon et al., 2022). During the pandemic,
many people lost their jobs or had to switch to remote work, leading to significant changes in
lifestyle and daily routines. As McMahon et al., (2022) point out, the lower level of social
connectedness, and the restrictions on social gatherings and events made it difficult for people to
maintain their usual hobbies and activities, further contributing to the feelings of isolation and
sadness. This sudden disruption of the usual way of living caused feelings of uncertainty and
anxiety, which in so many cases led to depression and emotional distress.
COVID-19 has had negative impacts on the mental health of many people, but not
everything has been bad; therefore, it is important to note that not everyone has experienced the
same. Some people found ways to cope and adapt during those uncertain and challenging times,
while others found new hobbies and interests like baking or home improvement, and others took
advantage of the resources available for those stressed with mental health. A good improvement
was the acknowledgment of how important mental health is. COVID-19 has brought people
closer and has allowed the beginning of new hobbies, and most importantly, the recognition of
how fragile and important psychological well-being is, but those positive aspects can be undone
when one recognizes the struggles the population has had with mental health, the Disturbance of
habits, and activities led to an increased rate of despair and emotional misfortune. Moreover,
COVID-19 has Increased the demand for mental health services.
American citizens were facing uncertainty at the beginning of COVID-19 because it was
an unknown virus. Information overload and misinformation caused a rise in demand for mental
health services. In an article published by the National Library of Medicine (NIH), Hong and
Kim (2020) describe how people focused on information during the pandemic. Even so, findings
have shown that when people receive information beyond their ability, bad outcomes such as
uncertainty “in decision-making, evading, and lack of compliance with advised behaviors” could
surge (Hong & Kim, 2020). Ferreira Caceres et al., talk in an article published at the National
Library of Medicine (NIH) about how misinformation and the excess of information during the
pandemic became a burden on individual and public health. Since the onset of the pandemic, the
excess of news has been a huge issue, and the internet, social media, and other communication
outlets contributed to the dissemination of misleading information, this issue led to vaccine
avoidance, the refusal of masks, and misuse of medications with insufficient scientific data,
resulting in increased morbidity, and a rise in sadness and demand for mental health services
(Caceres et al., 2022). The American Psychological Association published that since the
beginning of COVID-19, there has been a bigger request for “anxiety treatment,” “depression
treatment” and a big demand for other behavioral topics (American Psychological Association,
2021).
American citizens were experiencing a loss of structure and sense of purpose, Difficulty
adapting to new routines and responsibilities, and Increased feelings of uncertainty and lack of
control. People were struggling to keep up with usual daily routines and activities during the
pandemic, like going to the gym or meeting friends. This disruption affected mental health.
People started feeling more anxious and helpless, and eventually, it led to a sense of emotional
distress and depression. It is evident that with the misinformation and data overload available
during COVID-19, People developed anxiety, which led to worry, depression, and a high demand
for mental health services. But it is also important to note that for other people, the pandemic
also provided a time to slow down and focus on self-care, and family. Covide-10 made people
appreciate more the non-material assets like health. While it is true that some people found
solace and a chance to reflect on their priorities during the pandemic, the negative impact of
covid 19 on mental health can not be ignored, the pandemic has affected individuals in different
ways, and while some may have found it easier to adapt to the changes others have struggled
significantly. it is crucial to provide support and resources to those who are experiencing
emotional distress and depression due to the covid-19 pandemic.
Covid 19 has had a profound effect on the mental wellbeing of people with the isolation and
social distancing measures in place many reported feelings of stress anxiety and depression the
disruption of daily routines and activities has been a significant contributor to emotional distress
and depression despite the challenges others found relief in focusing on self care and personal
hobbies as well as staying connected through virtual channels as a result of the pandemic mental
health has gained increased recognition and attention and it also highlighted the importance of
prioritizing and supporting emotional health the outbreak of covid 19 has resulted in a surge of
stress anxiety depression emotional distress and an augmented need for mental health support but
it also has brought to light the crucial need for prioritizing mental health during future crises
individuals communities and governments need to recognize the significance of mental health
and take proactive measures to support and address mental health concerns by prioritizing mental
health people can learn how to deal with the consequences of any crisis that may arise in the
future.
References
American Psychological Association. (October 19, 2021). Demand for mental health treatment
continues to increase, say psychologists. American Psychological Association.
https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2021/10/mental-health-treatment-demand
Department of Health. (n.d.). https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/isolation Isolation and
Precautions for People with COVID-19 | CDC
Ferreira Caceres, M. M., Sosa, J. P., Lawrence, J. A., Sestacovschi, C., Tidd-Johnson, A., Rasool,
M. H. U., Gadamidi, V. K., Ozair, S., Pandav, K., Cuevas-Lou, C., Parrish, M.,
Rodriguez, I., & Fernandez, J. P. (2022). The impact of misinformation on the COVID-19
pandemic.JAIMS public health,J9(2), 262–277.
https://doi.org/10.3934/publichealth.2022018
Hong, H., & Kim, H. J. (2020, December 12). Antecedents and consequences of information
overload in the COVID-19 pandemic. International journal of environmental research and
public health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7763334
McMahon, G., Douglas, A., Casey, K., & Ahern, E. (2022). Disruption to well-being activities
and depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic: The mediational role of social
connectedness and rumination.JJournal of affective disorders,J309, 274–281.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2022.04.142
Mental Health America. (2020). COVID-19 and mental health: A growing crisis. Spotlight 2021 -
COVID-19 and Mental Health.pdf (mhanational.org)
University of Cambridge. (2021, November 3). Lockdowns resulted in drastic changes to daily
routines, a study reveals. News.
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20211103/Lockdowns-resulted-in-drastic-changes-
to-daily-routines-study-reveals.aspx
