{"id":110421,"date":"2020-06-29T17:46:12","date_gmt":"2020-06-29T22:46:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thechicagoschool.edu\/insight\/?p=110421"},"modified":"2020-11-11T11:50:01","modified_gmt":"2020-11-11T17:50:01","slug":"presidents-blog-a-mental-health-pandemic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thechicagoschool.edu\/insight\/for-our-wellness\/presidents-blog-a-mental-health-pandemic\/","title":{"rendered":"President’s Blog: A Mental Health Pandemic"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"The COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with the economic turmoil that has taken hold in its wake, has upended our lives and eroded our sense of well-being.\u00a0 The American Psychological Association\u2019s<\/a> most recent \u201cStress in America\u201d<\/a> survey reports that more than 80% of us view the future as a major source of stress. And it\u2019s no wonder.\u00a0 Despite more than three months in virtual lockdown, the virus is still on a rampage. Infections continue to peak in many parts of the country, and we watch helplessly as the reported death toll creeps tragically upward.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, millions upon millions of Americans have lost their jobs, and thousands of small businesses have shut their doors with little certainty that they\u2019ll be able to rebound.\u00a0 Across the country, people are foregoing the medications they need in favor of feeding their families. Stress, depression and anxiety have skyrocketed, along with alcohol consumption and domestic abuse. \"\"<\/p>\n

It is clear that the novel coronavirus represents just one pandemic that we are facing.\u00a0 The second\u2014and the one likely to last for a decade, or even a generation\u2014is the mental health pandemic that is already taking its toll in countless ways. Calls to some distress hotlines have increase by 1000%, and prescriptions for anti-anxiety medications have increased by more than a third.<\/p>\n

What we can do<\/h1>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

We\u2019re in this for the long haul, a fact that will demand a tremendous amount of psychological energy from each of us. So I urge you: take the steps you need to maintain both your physical and mental health\u2014as well as the health of those you love\u2014during this time of unprecedented uncertainty and anxiety.<\/p>\n