New Normal: Psychiatrist explains how the pandemic negatively impacts mental health and how to cope
While many businesses are reopening across the tri-state,
many people still need help coping with the uncertainty the pandemic has
caused.
Yale researchers are examining how the pandemic is affecting
our brains, specifically the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain that is
involved in decision making, impulse control and emotional regulation.
As part of this research, they found the pandemic is
exacerbating existing stressors for 44 million to 66
million disadvantaged Americans, including financial insecurity and systemic
racism, which impairs prefrontal cortical performance.
News 12's Elizabeth Hashagen was joined by Dr. Jessi Gold, a
psychiatrist and assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at
Washington University, to answer your questions about how the pandemic has
impacted mental health.
Dr. Gold says anxiety has an evolutionary purpose to help
people get away from threats. She says the pandemic has been a prolonged
threat, and that's why so many people feel heightened stress and exhaustion.
How are people affected in different ways by similar
stressful circumstances?
How can teachers get mental health help so they are able to
help their students?
How has the pandemic strained relationships and our sense of
community?
For resources, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can
be called at 1-800-273-8255, or you can go online.
You can also contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Service Administration by calling 1-800-662-4357, or visiting their website.
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