Mental Health Crises On The Rise Post-Pandemic
The start of the COVID-19 pandemic marked a downward shift in available mental healthcare providers, a shortage that had already been in a precarious position even before the pandemic. COVID-19 understandably brought about an increase in feelings of extreme helplessness, hopelessness, and depression.
In my opinion, trying to find a mental healthcare provider, be that a therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist, has become an almost insurmountable task. Prospective patients are inundated with waitlists and fully booked schedules. It’s not uncommon nowadays to contact a dozen providers or more and still not be able to get an appointment with one.
I think that the increase in mental health crises also has to do with other world crises in addition to the pandemic. Climate change has been setting even more new records for the temperature of the Earth just in the last couple of years alone, which has caused the younger generations to feel helpless and powerless. Oftentimes, the addition of stress in your own personal life or from academics can be the final breaking point to this.
If you are having a mental health crisis or are suicidal and you have no one that you can talk to, I encourage you to call or text 988 which is a suicide and crisis lifeline. With the waitlists of social workers post-pandemic, it can feel impossible to find a mental health provider. If you are in crisis now, it is a good idea to reach out instead of waiting. If you take away one thing from this article, please know that there are resources and help available for you out there.
