- Mental health is a epidemic in itself.
And so we should treat that with the same sense of urgency
as we do the pandemic.
- [Narrator] Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic,
the number of adults coping with mental health disorders
has increased significantly.
- The nature of COVID which is shelter in place,
social distancing,
and not being able to really spend much time
with family support systems.
So that has really exacerbated what was already there.
Just even lack of sunlight,
being confined at home where there might be stressors.
- [Narrator] Depression and mania
can lead to worsened social isolation,
especially when compounded by stress,
let alone a global pandemic.
- If you look at Atlas,
he's the god, of course
and he used to hold the whole world up
and people with bipolar already have that world
on top of them.
To add COVID-19 is like adding a whole nother world on top
and it's actually two worlds, two Earths, right?
- I would have meltdowns.
I would be happy one minute crying the next.
And it came on very very suddenly.
- [Narrator] Jennifer Freese has been coping
with her bipolar since she was six years old.
She's now in her 40s,
she got COVID-19 the day before
it was declared a global pandemic.
- I didn't tell anybody that I had COVID-19.
It's very similar to like when you tell someone
you're bipolar and they're like,
"oh my gosh, you're bipolar."
They get scared,
like what do you have to be afraid of with me?
- [Narrator] Suicidal ideation has worsened
during the pandemic.
And those with chronic illnesses
are more vulnerable to higher levels of stress,
anxiety, and depression.
- Shouldn't have to wait until people are dying
before we are really highlighting
and talking about something that's so important.
- [Narrator] Things like university and office closures,
and economic downturns have contributed to people's anxiety,
depression, and worry.
- Feeling bad about yourself has gone through the roof
just as an example we have a 24 x 7 hotline right now
and since the pandemic, those calls has risen by 80%.
- [Narrator] And it's not just this hotline.
There's been a rise in people seeking treatment
for mental health since the start of the pandemic
nationally.
One study found reports of anxiety and depression
surged from 11% in 2019 to 41% in 2021.
It may not just be from stress.
There's also evidence that COVID infection
itself is associated with neurologic damage
that might contribute to mental health disorders.
Now, some people who have been coping
with mental health conditions for many years
may actually be able to bounce back more easily
than those who've never faced such a challenge.
- The people with a mental health condition
are probably the most resilient people
you'll ever wanna meet.
They've come through the most troubling of times.
- [Narrator] After developing COVID,
Jennifer Freese self-quarantined for a month.
Coping techniques she learned over the years
to treat her bipolar disorder
helped her manage the isolation.
- I made it a point to reach out to three people
every single day.
- [Narrator] For those struggling with bipolar,
there are additional coping mechanisms.
Basic things like remaining on a schedule
and not self-isolating can be helpful,
especially during the pandemic.
- If you eat well, see your doctor,
or stick with your therapy,
mindfulness meditation, exercise, routine,
and a support system and that all of those things together
are integrated and it's important that we consider
all of those things and not just therapy
and certainly not just medications.
I think that the people who I know who are really struggling
most are the people that this is new to
or the people that are new to recognizing
that their routine needs to be different
or recognizing that staying in sweatpants all day
and on and off napping all day is going to affect your mood.
- [Narrator] But those seeking treatment
may not have equal access.
The pandemic has shed light on inequities people face
when receiving care and support.
- Some of us have more resources than others of us
and whether it's because we're white
or because we have a financial support or emotional support.
All of these things are making it really clear
that there's a big difference in those people
who have resources and those who don't
and that's very, very true in mental health
always and it's especially true now.
- Access to medication and even affordability
of medication has become an issue,
not being able to get out of the house
and then with loss of employment which is very common.
I'm seeing a lot with my clients
is that it's a loss of health insurance.
So that causes so many different problems.
- [Narrator] The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare
that we are in the middle of a mental health crisis.
- Why would we not want to take care of our mental health?
That should be a priority.
(soft music)