COVID-19 Prolonged Illness: Increasing Need for Mental Health Services

Six months after the New Yorker first crouched in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the first shock may have eased, but stress and anxiety persisted, according to mental health experts. I am.

The demand for counseling and treatment is increasing as the Long Islanders wait for schools to stay open, prepare for the flu season, or even do so. Expect Possible second wave Of COVID-19.

“Everyone has this feeling of waiting for other shoes to fall,” said Dr. William Sanderson, a psychologist at Hofstra University and director of the Anxiety Clinic. “I’m not sure in the fall, but will I be back in March and April?”

In June 2020, 36.5% of adults in the United States reported symptoms of anxiety and depression, according to the US Census Bureau’s Home Pulse Survey. Between January 2019 and June 2019, 11% of adults reported these symptoms.

Healthcare providers combine telemedicine with face-to-face visits to promote support groups, personalized and family therapies for people addressing the fear, anxiety, depression and other challenges associated with pandemics.

“”The silver lining of the COVID pandemic is the full effort of mental health into telemedicine. “

Dr. Adam Gonzalez, Director of Behavioral Health at Stony Brook Medicine

“Silver lining COVID pandemic It has boosted mental health, “We found that telemedicine reduced cancellations and no shows,” said Dr. Adam Gonzalez, director of Behavioral Health at Stony Brook Medicine.

At NYU Winthrop, the demand for mental health services has skyrocketed.

The pandemic “has a spillover effect on almost every layer of society,” said Aaron Pinkhasov, chairman of the Department of Psychiatry, NYU Winthrop Hospital. Demand for mental health services..

The fierceness of the news cycle adds to the stress and there are reports Of the cluster of new cases New York and even Positive test for president and first lady recently.

According to Pink Hasov, he spares no age group. Lack of social contact was especially difficult not only for young children but also for the elderly.Then there is often pressure on adults who care for their children and older parents. Working from home..

“Now, it’s more important than ever to expand mental health services, educate primary care physicians, pediatricians and geriatricians, and raise awareness of the problem,” said Pink Hasov.

“Chronic malaise”

During the pandemic, the daily casualties of infections, hospitalizations and deaths were disastrous and overwhelming. In April, more than 700 New Yorkers died in a single day.

However, the proportion of new COVID-19 cases has remained relatively low at around 1% for weeks. The spread of the virus was slowed by individuals who closed the economy and wore masks, evacuated in place, and avoided the crowd. Success came at a cost.

“It cost us emotionally because much of it was associated with the withdrawal and decline of our lifestyle … now people are working on more chronic fatigue. is.”

Dr. William Sanderson, a psychologist at Hofstra University and director of the Anxiety and Depression Clinic

“It made an emotional sacrifice to us, as much of it was associated with the withdrawal and decline of our lifestyle,” Sanderson said. “The shock is over and people are now dealing with chronic fatigue.”

Health care workers To Dr. Curtis Reisinger, a psychologist and director of Northwell’s employee and family support program that provides secret counseling services, said the front line is working hard to help patients while coping with their own stress. Said he fought.

“The number of people calling after COVID has increased eight-fold,” Reisinger said. “We are still up 20% from normal levels.”

“The number of people calling after COVID has increased eightfold.”

Dr. Curtis Reisinger, Psychologist and Director of Northwell Employee and Family Support Program

He said the increase happened because people who might have been uncomfortable seeking help understood how useful it was to talk to the therapist.

“Thanks to telemedicine, access is much better,” says Reisinger.

Manhasset’s 20-year-old Kelly Christ hopes that the fight against anxiety will help others feel more comfortable asking for help. Seniors at Fordham University wrote a blog post and ran social media for the North Shore Child and Family Guidance Center this summer to help condemn the need for treatment.

“I’m really glad there was someone to talk to,” Christ said. “I felt like I wasn’t alone because I sometimes feel guilty when talking to my family and friends.”

Others have seen the existing mental health condition worsen.

John Lindstrom, 48, of Hicksville, said his “depression has increased significantly” during the crisis.

Lindstrom, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2007, only recently began reuniting with family and friends after feeling terribly isolated in an underground apartment during a pandemic. Said.

He continues telemedicine, but misses his friendship at Hicksville’s Central Nassau Guidance and Counseling Services, which he spent several days a week.

New semester worries

According to experts, the excitement of children returning to school has been replaced by anxiety about parents and children.

“There are many school-age children who have to deal with the aftermath of quarantine quarantine and get used to a whole new world,” said Dr. Janet Kernscoraro, director of behavioral health care at Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital. .. .. “There is a fear of the disease, not only for them, but for their parents.”

Kahn-Scolaro said parents need to be educated on how to help them handle what they see and hear about pandemics.

“Small children hear a lot,” she said. “They never handle it the way adults think.”

Regina Barros Rivera, Associate Executive Director of the North Shore Child and Family Guidance Center, based in Roslyn Heights, a non-profit children’s mental health institution, says children love birthday parties, picnics, return routines and more. He said he lacked rituals, coming and going from school.

“I think parents who can provide the structure can be more successful,” she said. “Maybe it’s the corner of the room that will be their classroom. Create as many routines as you can.”

The coming winter day

The warm summer months gave the people of Long Island, tired of quarantine, the opportunity to go out and visit safely with friends and family. But long, lazy beach days give way to lively autumn and early sunsets.

“As the weather gets colder, many of us are afraid of what that means in terms of staying social.”

Dr. David Flomenhaft, Director of Outpatient Behavioral Health Services at Mercy Medical Center,

Dr. David Fromenhaft, Director of Outpatient Behavioral Health Services at the Mercy Medical Center, said: Introducing the last 6 months.

Flomenhaft said people need to maintain their daily lives, exercise, and stay up late to avoid watching TV, even when working from home.

He wants many to be able to adapt. “We believe that people can grow and improve over difficult times.”

With David Olson

Lisa joined Newsday in 2019 as a staff writer. Previously, he was in charge of politics, government and general missions at amNewYork, New York Daily News and Asbury Park Press.