Isolation Continues

Posted: November 18, 2020, 2:20PM

As we see our COVID numbers rising exponentially across the country, strong recommendations are made for us to remain vigilant, remain isolated as much as possible (or remain socially distant), and continue to wear a mask. Experts in the fields of immunology and infectious diseases support wearing masks and work very hard to help us understand why this is a positive health practice.

Also we are hearing more about is isolation and its impact on our mental health. Many of our recent blogs have been on mental health during the time of COVID. As this wave moves on, the effect is gettign more pronounced. Depression has increased more than 3-fold during COVID form 8.5% to 27.8% according to the Journal of American Medicine. A report from the CDC indicates higher rates of substance use and elevated suicidal ideation among younger adults, racial/ethnic minorities, essential workers and UNPAID ADULT CAREGIVERS.

Please be aware of your mental well-being. Take deep breaths. Do meditation. Practice yoga. Do something that you enjoy that will "take you away" for a while.

[Source: www.jamanetwork.com, Prevalence of Depression Symptoms in US Adults, September 2, 2020; www.cdc.gov, Mental Health, Substance Use, and Suicidal Ideation During the COVID-19 Pandemic - United States, June 24-30, 2020