Publications - Stress

Too Much Time Spent On Social Media Is Taking Mental Health Toll On Users During Coronavirus Pandemic, by Peter Suciu, Forbes, May 1 2020.

“Even as social distancing efforts continue and millions of Americans remain in isolation it is impossible to escape coronavirus-related news and information. It leads the evening newscasts on the networks, fills seemingly endless hours of cable news; and is discussed by every talking head, political pundit and even late night comedians. Coronavirus also continues to dominate social media, which remains where many people now are turning for news – but should they? ”

The best mental health tips for staying sane in isolation, by Rachel Mishael, BBC, Apr 29 2020.

“As people around the world self-isolate because of Covid-19, factors like anxiety, a lack of social interaction or outdoor time and economic stressors can lead to mental health challenges. While everyone’s circumstances vary and people are experiencing this global pandemic in different ways, many have found relief using similar approaches. Here’s what our readers shared about how they’re holding up and what has helped them stay positive. ”

Coronavirus is causing a mental health crisis. Here’s how to fight it., by Anna North, Vox, Apr 16 2020.

“Covid-19 patients and those caring for them could be especially at risk for anxiety, depression, and other conditions. As weeks of distancing turn into months, many people are experiencing a greater and greater sense of isolation. They’re also dealing with the uncertainty of when and how the pandemic will end, the fear of getting infected, the economic crisis that has cost millions of Americans their jobs, and the inconsistent messaging about the virus from authority figures. ”

Supporting Social and Emotional Learning During the Coronavirus Pandemic, by Erlanger Turner, U.S. News & World Report, Apr 14 2020.

“During this current COVID-19 crisis, many parents now find themselves in the role of a teacher given school closures to prevent the spread of coronavirus. For decades, psychologists, child development experts and educators have emphasized the importance of social and emotional learning, or SEL. ”

Not a staycation: Isolating at home affects our mental health (and what to do), by Claire McCarthy,MD, Harvard Health , Apr 14 2020.

“Tips from a pediatrician at Havard Medical School, Dr. McCarthy. "There is no way that we can live this without anxiety and sadness — and no way that our children can live it without anxiety and sadness. We all need to do our best, sure, but it’s important that we acknowledge that we are feeling strange and bad, that our kids are too, and this can’t help but affect how we all behave. We have to take care of ourselves in a different way, being proactive about our mental health." ”

Coronavirus is harming the mental health of tens of millions of people in U.S., new poll finds, by Joel Achenbach , Washington Post, Apr 2 2020.

“Nearly half the people in the United States feel the coronavirus crisis is harming their mental health, according to a survey published Thursday that demonstrates how the covid-19 pandemic has escalated into a nationwide psychological trauma. The tracking poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation, conducted March 25 to 30, found that 45 percent of adults say the pandemic has affected their mental health, and 19 percent say it has had a “major impact.” The rates are slightly higher among women, Hispanic adults and black adults, the survey found. ”

Stress? Fear of COVID-19? Therapists treating the vulnerable go online to help, by Menna A. Farouk, Reuters, Mar 25 2020.

“As the spread of coronavirus grows so too has people’s stress levels and anxieties, prompting businesses for good around the world to turn to technology to help the most vulnerable cope with mental health issues. ”

How To Sleep With Coronavirus Anxiety, by Adam Popescu, New York Times, Mar 25 2020.

“Many people spend their nights now tossing and turning, struggling to unglue from the constant scroll of coronavirus news updates. But, while there is no body or life hack to make you impervious to the touch of disease, we do know that sleep is key to helping our bodies stay healthy. “Sleep is an essential part of protection from and response to any infection,” said Douglas B. Kirsch, a neurologist and former president of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. ”

Stress and Coping- Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), by Center of Disease Control, CDC, Mar 14 2020.

“The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be stressful for people. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Coping with stress will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger. ”

How to keep coronavirus fears from affecting your mental health, by AJ Willingham, CNN, Mar 14 2020.

“"There is a ton of information out there. The challenge is trying to determine which information is accurate." says Lynn Bufka, Associate Executive Director for Research and Policy at the American Psychological Association. She suggests taking control of your intake through the following steps (listed in article) ”

Some states are now offering mental health days off to students, by Valerie Strauss, Washington Post, Feb 1 2020.

“Oregon and Utah are allowing students to take off for mental-health reasons, and there are legislative proposals to do the same in California, New York and Florida. In addition, the Montgomery County school district in Virginia recently decided to allow students to cite mental health for an excused absence. ”

Mental health: How we've improved and where we need to do better in 2020, by Nicole Spector, NBC News, Jan 10 2020.

“Some of the most significant advancements in the last 10 years reveal just how far we have to go ”

Americans spending more out-of-pocket on mental health than physical health, by Linda Carroll, Reuters, Nov 8 2019.

“Many insured Americans go out of network for mental health services, a new study suggests, despite the higher costs to them and despite a federal law mandating that policies’ mental health coverage be at least as good as their physical health coverage ”

Should Students Get Mental Health Days Off From School?, by Natalie Proulx, New York Times, Sep 12 2019.

“Two states recently passed laws that allow students to take time off for their mental health. Do you wish your school gave you the option? ”

How to Manage Your Mental Illness at Work, by Eric Ravenscraft, NYT, Sep 3 2019.

“If you suffer from depression, anxiety, PTSD or another mental illness, here are some real-world tips to help you stay happy and healthy at work. ”