Free AI web copilot to create summaries, insights and extended knowledge, download it at here

Abstract

old mindsets will not work moving forward. Change only occurs when our perspectives change.COVID-19 put us smack dab in the center of a global mind fuck. Yes, those are harsh words, but most of us would agree. Our mental health deteriorated quickly with losing our sources of external routines and social sources to ground us. Things we took for granted daily became essentials of our survival.Along with those essential needs came a shift of importance on middle-class workers-from grocery baggers, and clerks to 1st responders and healthcare workers. That included our youth — while they still tried to maneuver the switch to online school. People working in careers we often admired or revered fell into the overwhelming pool of unemployment.My youngest daughter was in the first graduating class of the pandemic. No senior prom, no formal graduation, no yearbooks signed, no graduation party, and left them with more profound questions of what the future holds for them in the wake of the continuing virus saga. Major life events, stolen from society’s youth, through no fault of their own. That will have a mental impact for the rest of their lives.How do we change the space of mental health moving forward? We can start with trauma-informed communication.Trauma-Informed CommunicationTrauma comes in primarily two forms — physical or emotional and has three primary levels -acute, chronic, and complex. Physical traumas are often injuries or witnessing a loved one with an injury. Acute usually means a one-time occurrence such as a car accident or natural disaster. Chronic means things that happen over time, such as long-term illness, bullying, or domestic violence. Complex trauma is varied and has multiple exposures over a long period, and involves interpersonal relationships. (3)Being trauma-informed assumes that any individual has trauma in their history. That is a safe assumption to make amidst Covid. Recognizing the symptoms of trauma and acknowledging its role in the individual’s life is the first step.<blockquote id="3004">“The effects of unresolved trauma can be devastating. It can affect our habits and outlook on life, leading to addictions and poor decision-making. It can take a toll on our family life and interpersonal relationships. It can trigger real physical pain, symptoms, and disease. And it can lead to a range of self-destructive behaviors.” — Peter Levine</blockquote>However, trauma symptoms are different for each individual based on the level of trauma and personal coping mechanisms before the trauma took place.Thousands, if not millions, of people, suffered devastating losses in one way or another associated with COVID-19. Loss of friends and family members, co-workers, or someone we connect with on the news. Other individuals still deal with lingering symptoms of the virus, while others lost jobs and income. These are some top life stressors in and of themselves. You combine it with the fears of something you can’t see; it just grows and grows.We owe it to ourselves, our community, and the world we live in to become more aware of our words and reactions, especially what we post on social media or announce on the news. You never know someone’s story or what you might trigger within them.New Norms for Mental Health StigmaPay attention and

Options

listen to our youth; their fears are just as valid as the adults’; it’s just different. Yet, they hold the future within their minds and hearts.I always said if my children only needed half the amount of therapy I did, I’ve done a good job. While said in jest, there is some validity to it. Our children suffer through their traumas at a much higher rate than we did as kids. I know that is true within my life and my kids’ lives.Another quote from Peter Levine inspires where a new norm might start –<blockquote id="cd7c">“Trauma is not what happens to us, but what we hold inside in the absence of an empathetic witness.” — Peter Levine</blockquote>We all need to play our part as empathetic witnesses to what others share with us or hold quietly in their hearts. Pay attention to behaviors of self-harm. Emotional self-harm includes excessive negative self-talk, addiction, heightened isolation, phobias, or physical self-harm actions. Many traumas are hidden either by secrets, shame, or coping mechanisms that appear that may appear normal. There are <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/parental-resource-kit/">resources</a> available to know what to look for.Covid-19 is a perfect example of traumas we can’t protect ourselves or others from. We can only be empathetic and encourage tools to move through it. We can combat the aftermath of the virus by developing awareness and focusing our attention on the heart of the matter.The people and their mental well-being. Instead of solely focusing on rebuilding businesses and financial restabilization within the economy, we need to focus on stimulating our efforts for the mental healthiness of all of us.Focused attention on mental health efforts, especially for our youth and the adults that have direct influence, is an investment in our future. Our mental health staff within healthcare systems is overwhelmed and sometimes have a 4 to 6-week wait, or more, for an appointment. There are thousands of non-profits willing to help, but they run on grants and donations and are impacted as much or more than private businesses.We don’t know what the future holds for us, especially in the continuing, never-ending story of Covid-19. Still, we certainly can play our part to be in our present moments with love, consideration, and compassion. Be mindful of the people you encounter each day. Use awareness and focused attention in each exchange without judging their choices or responses to their stress. In addition, be aware of yourself and don’t judge how you are dealing with the stress.But most of all, inoculate the actual virus of fear and trauma by advocating for change — the space of mental health needs an infusion of attention to change the stigma, protect our future generations, and live a well-balanced mental health life.(1)<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/childrensmentalhealth/features/anxiety-and-depression.html">https://www.cdc.gov/childrensmentalhealth/features/anxiety-and-depression.html</a>(2)https://www.forbes.com/sites/tommybeer/2021/03/03/self-harm-claims-among-us-teenagers-increased-99-during-pandemic-study-finds/?sh=fdf0a5633e05(3) <a href="https://www.medicinenet.com/what_are_the_3_types_of_trauma/article.htm">https://www.medicinenet.com/what_are_the_3_types_of_trauma/article.htm</a></article></body>

The Future of Our Mental Health

The actual virus we face

COVID-19 and its variants have taken a toll on society. With trauma memories and responses created by the virus, our mental health will stay with us for years into the future- way beyond the pandemic and these thriving bugs. As we attempt to regain some semblance of order, our mental health will still linger in the fear and disorder the virus created. COVID-19 is a trauma we all suffered. As we sift through our past year-plus of the pandemic, we all should recognize the importance of mental health.

Addictions, anxiety, depression, and fears loom more extensively now and continue to grow with each passing day. Everywhere you turn, you hear consistent evidence of the continued losses and leaves us with thoughts of a future filled with unknowns, and fear of the unknown is a dangerous space to be.

I believe our young population is silently suffering the most, particularly the middle school, high school, and early college kids. The virus stole the youthful activities of school peers, marked celebrations, and social integration.

Throughout history, documentation exists regarding the high rate of mental health issues teens encounter. (1) I don’t know if it is true, but someone once told me that mental health issues surface as the brain responds to puberty. It’s as if the surge of hormones mix like oil and water with their prior emotional status.

Recent statistics show the growth rate of mental health issues among our youth on a significant rise. From April of 2019 to April of 2020, overdoses grew 119 %, generalized anxiety up 94%, and major depressive disorder loomed at an 84% increase. Intentional self-harm increased 99.8% in the age range of 13 to 18 years of age. But more devastating is that between August 2019 to August 2020, that same age group has an increase of 333.9 %. Mental health medical claims nearly doubled at the beginning of COVID-19 (March-April 2020) — and these are only the reported issues. More devastating is the when you compare August 2019 to August 2020 ( a four-month difference) within the same age group, intentional self-harm increased by 333.9 % of claim reports as a percentage of all medical claims and marked the highest range in any given month (2)

Decisions we make moving forward will be significant to future generations. Masks, social distancing, vaccines, school, work, family, and social gatherings, are all decisions we need to make. While we have the freedom to choose, our choices perhaps need to be based on more than just personal experience and knowledge. We would do well to consider the impact those decisions have on others, especially the children.

We have all been affected deeply by the virus, the pandemic, and world leaders’ decisions. It is a form of unity we did not ask for nor plan. It took the world by surprise and kept us held in the space of the unknown for way too long. We cannot go back, and our old mindsets will not work moving forward. Change only occurs when our perspectives change.

COVID-19 put us smack dab in the center of a global mind fuck. Yes, those are harsh words, but most of us would agree. Our mental health deteriorated quickly with losing our sources of external routines and social sources to ground us. Things we took for granted daily became essentials of our survival.

Along with those essential needs came a shift of importance on middle-class workers-from grocery baggers, and clerks to 1st responders and healthcare workers. That included our youth — while they still tried to maneuver the switch to online school. People working in careers we often admired or revered fell into the overwhelming pool of unemployment.

My youngest daughter was in the first graduating class of the pandemic. No senior prom, no formal graduation, no yearbooks signed, no graduation party, and left them with more profound questions of what the future holds for them in the wake of the continuing virus saga. Major life events, stolen from society’s youth, through no fault of their own. That will have a mental impact for the rest of their lives.

How do we change the space of mental health moving forward? We can start with trauma-informed communication.

Trauma-Informed Communication

Trauma comes in primarily two forms — physical or emotional and has three primary levels -acute, chronic, and complex. Physical traumas are often injuries or witnessing a loved one with an injury. Acute usually means a one-time occurrence such as a car accident or natural disaster. Chronic means things that happen over time, such as long-term illness, bullying, or domestic violence. Complex trauma is varied and has multiple exposures over a long period, and involves interpersonal relationships. (3)

Being trauma-informed assumes that any individual has trauma in their history. That is a safe assumption to make amidst Covid. Recognizing the symptoms of trauma and acknowledging its role in the individual’s life is the first step.

“The effects of unresolved trauma can be devastating. It can affect our habits and outlook on life, leading to addictions and poor decision-making. It can take a toll on our family life and interpersonal relationships. It can trigger real physical pain, symptoms, and disease. And it can lead to a range of self-destructive behaviors.” — Peter Levine

However, trauma symptoms are different for each individual based on the level of trauma and personal coping mechanisms before the trauma took place.

Thousands, if not millions, of people, suffered devastating losses in one way or another associated with COVID-19. Loss of friends and family members, co-workers, or someone we connect with on the news. Other individuals still deal with lingering symptoms of the virus, while others lost jobs and income. These are some top life stressors in and of themselves. You combine it with the fears of something you can’t see; it just grows and grows.

We owe it to ourselves, our community, and the world we live in to become more aware of our words and reactions, especially what we post on social media or announce on the news. You never know someone’s story or what you might trigger within them.

New Norms for Mental Health Stigma

Pay attention and listen to our youth; their fears are just as valid as the adults’; it’s just different. Yet, they hold the future within their minds and hearts.

I always said if my children only needed half the amount of therapy I did, I’ve done a good job. While said in jest, there is some validity to it. Our children suffer through their traumas at a much higher rate than we did as kids. I know that is true within my life and my kids’ lives.

Another quote from Peter Levine inspires where a new norm might start –

“Trauma is not what happens to us, but what we hold inside in the absence of an empathetic witness.” — Peter Levine

We all need to play our part as empathetic witnesses to what others share with us or hold quietly in their hearts. Pay attention to behaviors of self-harm. Emotional self-harm includes excessive negative self-talk, addiction, heightened isolation, phobias, or physical self-harm actions. Many traumas are hidden either by secrets, shame, or coping mechanisms that appear that may appear normal. There are resources available to know what to look for.

Covid-19 is a perfect example of traumas we can’t protect ourselves or others from. We can only be empathetic and encourage tools to move through it. We can combat the aftermath of the virus by developing awareness and focusing our attention on the heart of the matter.

The people and their mental well-being. Instead of solely focusing on rebuilding businesses and financial restabilization within the economy, we need to focus on stimulating our efforts for the mental healthiness of all of us.

Focused attention on mental health efforts, especially for our youth and the adults that have direct influence, is an investment in our future. Our mental health staff within healthcare systems is overwhelmed and sometimes have a 4 to 6-week wait, or more, for an appointment. There are thousands of non-profits willing to help, but they run on grants and donations and are impacted as much or more than private businesses.

We don’t know what the future holds for us, especially in the continuing, never-ending story of Covid-19. Still, we certainly can play our part to be in our present moments with love, consideration, and compassion. Be mindful of the people you encounter each day. Use awareness and focused attention in each exchange without judging their choices or responses to their stress. In addition, be aware of yourself and don’t judge how you are dealing with the stress.

But most of all, inoculate the actual virus of fear and trauma by advocating for change — the space of mental health needs an infusion of attention to change the stigma, protect our future generations, and live a well-balanced mental health life.

(1)https://www.cdc.gov/childrensmentalhealth/features/anxiety-and-depression.html

(2)https://www.forbes.com/sites/tommybeer/2021/03/03/self-harm-claims-among-us-teenagers-increased-99-during-pandemic-study-finds/?sh=fdf0a5633e05

(3) https://www.medicinenet.com/what_are_the_3_types_of_trauma/article.htm