Mental Health and COVID 19 - Don't Become a Victim

I was recently observing my eight-month-old child as he repeatedly tried to reach a small toy that lay not far in front of him. He stretched, wiggled, bounced and even flailed about. He repeated this process over and over until he succumbed to frustration, lay down his head with an exhausted heave, and the wailing and tears began. He is learning to crawl and as many children often do during this developmental phase, had become stuck. I, of course, came to his aid and in so doing I could not help but think how much I could relate to his plight. As we reach the end of a year that seems filled with illness and uncertainty, how many of us also feel… stuck? Where do we go from here?

Are you feeling burdened by anxiety or depression, possibly grief from the loss of a loved one this year? If so, you are certainly not alone. The prevalence of depression in the US is reportedly 3-fold higher during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with before the pandemic began. While society as a whole has felt the burden of COVID-19, it has affected each of us uniquely and we are responding to it as such.

Depression often manifests with feelings of sadness, loss of interest, guilt or thoughts of worthlessness, low energy, difficulty concentrating, sleeping difficulties, and/or recurrent thoughts of harming yourself. The fear of illness and continued isolation has worsened anxiety for many. If you find that you resonate with these symptoms, please seek help. Call a healthcare professional and schedule a time to talk about what you’ve been experiencing and how to get better.

Like any chronic disease, depression, when left untreated, can lead to deleterious effects. Depression can exacerbate existing cardiovascular disease, increase the risk of stroke, worsen diabetes and may be an independent risk factor for dementia. Untreated, depression also can increase the risk of drug and alcohol abuse and could even lead to suicide for some.

We all have a choice for how we move forward towards that metaphorical toy that seems so far out of reach this year. Maybe you have already begun that process and someone else comes to mind that you can help along. Take time this season to focus on the mental health of you and your family. Encourage outdoor exercise, meditate on the good promises of God, spend time together praying for health and healing of others. And most importantly, remember that buried underneath the weight of all that has burdened 2020 is always hope. “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength” --Isaiah 40:31.