4

Introduction

With the onset of a global pandemic, people worldwide have felt the impact of declining mental health and perceptions of wellbeing due to social isolation and anxiety. As discussed in the previous chapter, this has been especially true for students attending colleges and universities. Through the use of digital resources students have been able to get the psychological counseling that they need despite the social limitations of COVID-19. Even with increased resources and access, however, it’s important to recognize the challenge of such a unique and unprecedented crisis. As the mental health cases have steadily increased during the impact of COVID-19, digital resources have become more and more important for the well-being of college students. Digital resources reduce the number of in-person appointments, thus, decreasing risk to both counselors’ and clients’ for contracting the virus. These digital resources has been essential in addressing the increased number of mental health cases in the United States and must continue to increase to meet
the demand.

Connection to STS Theory

The Modernization Theory is used to explain the development of societies in correlation with the improvements of science and technology. As we grow and change as a society during the impact of COVID-19, we must also adapt our resources and technology to fit the needs of our society. One of the ways in which we must adapt is through the implementation of digital health resources. As in-person appointments have become harder to arrange through times like these, we must utilize our technology and convert to online formats. This transition to online health resources would not have been possible several years ago, but thanks to the constant improvements in science and technology the pandemic came at a somewhat convenient time for national mandates requiring and suggesting isolation. The needs for online resources have been met, making it easier and less risky to make an appointment. Furthermore, it can potentially increase the number of patients a medical provider can speak with in a given day which provides more help to those who in need. The concept of modernization is a push toward a safer, healthier environment with up-and-coming online appointments.

The Rise in Mental health Cases

The onset of COVID-19 has greatly increased the number of mental health cases. As mentioned in the previous chapter, there has been a lot of research illustrating the correlation between increased lockdown measures and a corresponding increase in those self-reporting suffering with depression and anxiety. A study done in Italy compared emergency room visits for mental health cases from before and after lockdown was put into place (Gaebel & Stricker, 2020). It showed that although there were fewer emergency room visits, the reported cases of anxiety and depression had significantly increased from the year prior. The CDC also reported that adults in the United States reported significantly elevated mental health conditions associated with COVID-19 from June 24-30 (CDC, 2020). Some of the reasons for this increase in adverse mental health are clearly related to social isolation, job insecurity, and anxiety about the virus.

Why Have Cases Increased?

The main increases in mental health cases have pertained to anxiety and depression. According to Nirmita Panchal, social isolation and loneliness have been major factors in increased depression rates. This has aligned with former studies done in Japan about a form of severe social withdrawal known as hikikomori. Hikikomori usually results in severe depression and social anxiety (Kato et al., 2020). This corresponds with how people became more depressed once they were forced to socially isolate themselves from their friends and family during nationwide lockdowns all across the world. Additionally, the rise of job insecurity has been a major source of anxiety for many. Due to the poor state of major sectors of the economy, many businesses were forced to shut down thus making it difficult for many employers to keep all their employees. As a result, many people lost their jobs or were at risk for losing their jobs for long periods of time. This is known to cause extreme strain on individuals and their families, as many people lose their main source(s) of income. Lastly, anxiety amongst those who are high risk has been a major factor in the increase of mental health issues. Since many people were labeled “high risk”, it was nearly impossible to do anything that wouldn’t put them at risk of contracting COVID-19. Living in constant fear of dying from contracting the virus can cause a lot of stress to both those at risk and their loved ones. As all of these things become a part of our daily lives during the global pandemic and continue to cause declines in mental health. It is imperative that we continue developing resources to help us better manage anxiety and depression.

Digital Resources Have Been Utilized

Technology and digital resources have evolved over the course of this pandemic to help people deal with mental health issues while also staying safe and socially distanced. Since many people have been unable to go to in-person appointments due to social isolation and quarantine, virtual resources have been key in keeping doctors and patients safe. This form of counseling is exemplified on Clemson University’s campus through the utilization of virtual counseling through Redfern Health Center (CAPS, 2020).
This resource has been vital in making sure that students’ mental health problems are adequately addressed while also maintaining a safe and socially distanced experience for counselors and students. In addition to digital counseling, the usage of apps designed to help people with mental health has skyrocketed during the course of the pandemic (Wan, 2020).  By making mental health care accessible from cell phones, people have had more resources to get help only a few screen taps away. More resources that are accessible via phone include crisis hotlines. Most all genuine crisis hotlines are available 24/7, and they’re designed to help people get help when their health and safety is in immediate danger (NIH, 2020). By utilizing all of these resources, the world has been able to virtually adapt to treating mental health during a global pandemic.

Conclusion

Since mental health has been such a key issue during the course of this pandemic, creating resources to combat mental health issues is vital for keeping us safe and mentally well. Without digital resources to help us, we would be unable to help those in need and give them the resources they deserve.

References

Gaebel, W., & Stricker, J. (2020). E‐mental health options in the COVID ‐19 pandemic and beyond. Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 74(8), 441–442. https://doi.org/10.1111/pcn.13079

Mental Health, Substance Use, and Suicidal Ideation During the COVID-19 Pandemic – United States, June 24–30, 2020. (2020, August 13). Retrieved October 12, 2020, from https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6932a1.htm

Nirmita Panchal, R., & 2020, A. (2020, August 21). The Implications of COVID-19 for Mental Health and Substance Use. Retrieved October 12, 2020, from https://www.kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/issue-brief/the-implications-of-covid-19-for-mental-health-and-substance-use/

Kato, T. A., Sartorius, N., & Shinfuku, N. (2020). Forced social isolation due to COVID ‐19 and consequent mental health problems: Lessons from hikikomori. Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 74(9), 506–507. https://doi.org/10.1111/pcn.13112

Counseling and Psychological Services: Clemson University Student Affairs. (n.d.). Retrieved November 09, 2020, from https://www.clemson.edu/campus-life/student-health/caps/

Wan, W. (2020, May 12). The coronavirus pandemic is pushing America into a mental health crisis. Retrieved October 11, 2020, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/05/04/mental-health-coronavirus/

Technology and the Future of Mental Health Treatment. (n.d.). Retrieved October 12, 2020, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/technology-and-the-future-of-mental-health-treatment/index.shtml

Images

Image 1: “Picture of Man in Video Meeting “ by Matthew Henry is in the Public Domain, CC0