Special COVID-19 Issue #6

Get practical guidance in the COVID-19 toolkit

The number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus is over 6 million across the globe. The number of deaths is moving quickly to 400,000. As scientists forecast a second COVID-19 surge in the fall, a surge of another type is unfolding. The emotional and mental health impacts of the novel coronavirus are now being manifest every day. 

This special edition provides facts, insights, tips, and resources to aid those in emotional distress now and in the days to come. Remember it is not only OK to feel your feelings and seek help when needed. It’s a healthy thing to do.

“One day you will tell your story of how you overcame what you went through, and it will be someone else’s survival guide.” 
~ Lene Andersen

Facts and Insights

Even before the onset of the pandemic, stress, anxiety, depression, substance use disorder, including an epidemic of opioid addiction, were on the rise. The novel coronavirus has brought new challenges to some and exacerbated many mental health disorders as well as the emotional health impacts of having a chronic medical condition.

• COVID-19: The Invisible Impact of an Invisible Threat | Insight MD
• Mental Health Needs of Health Care Workers Providing Frontline COVID-19 Care | JAMA
• The Lasting Impact of COVID-19: How Will COVID-19 Affect Our Mental Health Over the Long Term? | Everyday Health
• Depression, Anxiety, PTSD May Plague Many COVID-19 Survivors | WebMD
• COVID-19’s Mental Health Effects by Age Group | Healio Psychiatry
• COVID-19 Isn’t Just a Danger to Older People’s Physical Health | American Psychological Association

Tips and Resources

The World Health Organization reports “COVID-19 can cause neurological manifestations, including headache, impaired sense of smell and taste, agitation, delirium, stroke and meningoencephalitis. Underlying neurological conditions increase the risk of hospitalization for COVID-19, especially for older adults.

Stress, social isolation, and violence in the family are likely to affect brain health and development in young children and adolescents. Social isolation, reduced physical activity, and reduced intellectual stimulation increase the risk of cognitive decline and dementia in older adults.”

• How to Calm Your Mind So You Can Manage Fear and Anxiety | PeopleTweaker
• 9 Ways To Stay Positive During the Coronavirus Pandemic | Forbes
• A 5-Minute Breathing Meditation To Cultivate Mindfulness | Mindful
• Gratitude Heals (available in both English and Spanish) | DRW Consulting

• Be Less Stressed Toolkit | PeopleTweaker
• How to Keep Love Alive in the Midst of a Pandemic | Harvard Gazette

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This is one of several special editions of Take One & Call Me in the Morning, focused on COVID-19. It’s brought to you by InsightMD. Get all the resources and tips from previous newsletters here or view the COVID-19 resource toolkit.

Knowledge is power. Get the facts from the Centers for Disease Control.

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