406 Traumatic Stress & COVID-19

Research by Horesh, Danny, & Brown, AdamD. (2020).

Written by Sean Edwards, M.S

How are you coping with the COVID-19 pandemic? The significant stress, trauma, and changes in society signal uncertain futures, financial impacts, and fears coping with illness for self and loved ones.

What effects will there be on our mental health? In the 2020 Psychological Trauma Journal, psychologists reviewing prior research after major traumas suggest that mental health systems will need to change their ways of providing diagnostics, prevention, public outreach, communication, and work with medical staff and providers in order to address the upcoming influx of mental health problems.

Mental health systems will need a more central role in educating the public, officials, and frontline workers in dealing with trauma and stress. To make mental health care accessible to all who need it, there is a need to train workers outside mental health, reduce the stigma and barriers associated with getting mental health care,and educate the general public on the skills to handle stress and trauma.

With quick publication and dissemination, mental health professionals have begun education and research on ways to treat the COVID-19 impact. Psychological services are available via telehealth. Do seek psychological services during this crisis, if needed.

Reference:

Horesh, D., & Brown, A. D. (2020). Traumatic stress in the age of COVID-19: A call to close critical gaps and adapt to new realities. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 12(4), 331.