Increased Prevalence of Mental Health Issues: Insights and Strategies for Addressing Them
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health issues have become a pressing concern, with the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges significantly increasing since 2020 [2][3]. This surge can be attributed to a multitude of factors, including the pandemic's direct and indirect effects, economic instability, social isolation, increased smartphone and social media use, and reduced access to mental health services.
The pandemic has disrupted social lives, education, and access to services, causing short-term mental distress [2]. Economic stressors such as inflation, job insecurity, and housing problems have also taken a toll on mental well-being [2][3]. Increased smartphone and social media use, particularly among youth, has been linked to anxiety and low mood [2]. Reduced availability of youth and mental health services, especially in rural areas, has worsened outcomes and increased suicide rates [2][5]. Worsening sleep quality and barriers to care access, including shortages of mental health professionals and high treatment costs, further exacerbate the situation [1][3][5].
Addressing these mental health issues requires a multi-faceted approach. Increasing access to affordable mental health care is crucial, addressing professional shortages and reducing treatment costs to avoid missed or inadequate care [1][3]. Promoting mental health awareness and education can reduce stigma and encourage early help-seeking [1][2]. Improving economic stability, such as supporting housing security and employment, reduces a major source of stress [2][3]. Encouraging healthy behaviours like good sleep hygiene, physical activity, and balanced social media use can also improve mental well-being [2]. Strengthening community services, especially in rural areas, counters isolation and improves support networks [5]. Utilizing integrated care approaches and improving communication between patients and providers ensures effective treatment and understanding [4].
Despite advancements in treatments and technology, mental health disorders remain among the top global disability causes without a significant reduction in prevalence over decades [4]. This suggests systemic issues in access, treatment efficacy, and service delivery that need addressing alongside individual-level strategies.
In the face of these challenges, it's essential to remember that mental health exists when we have resources to be well, and those resources are a natural part of us [4]. Changing our context may not be easily possible, but we can recover and preserve our psychological and emotional resources to be well. Scheduling a first session with a psychologist can help us explore our case and see how we can solve our problems to improve our mental health. A self-centered vision, without theories, is important for a successful therapy process. Seeking therapeutic help when we feel very bad is necessary, but it's also especially positive to seek that help and company preventively. Going towards the solution, not the problem, is key to personal change.
- Mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, have been exacerbated due to the pandemic, economic stressors, increased smartphone use, and restricted access to mental health services (mental health, anxiety, depression, smartphone use, mental health services).
- Improving mental well-being can be achieved by promoting mental health awareness, addressing economic instability, encouraging healthy behaviors, and strengthening community services (mental well-being, mental health awareness, economic stability, healthy behaviors, community services).
- To preserve our psychological and emotional resources, it's beneficial to seek therapeutic help proactively, develop a self-centered vision, and focus on solutions rather than problems (psychological resources, therapeutic help, self-centered vision, solutions, personal change).
