Mental health is no longer a taboo. There’s no need to hold back and hide your mental state anymore. It’s the era of inclusivity and having important living room conversations. Everyone from politicians, social workers, and health care staff to celebrities are now understanding its impact on people’s lives and on society as a whole.

\What is being done to make progress? How are we facing the challenges and where do we stand in 2020? Read this article to find out everything about the latest mental health news.

Current Mental Health News

2020 hasn’t been easy on anyone. The circumstances around the world have triggered various mental health issues among people especially given stressors such as unemployment, health issues, lockdowns, travel restrictions, and so on.

The latest demographics show that unemployment during COVID was higher than it was during the Great Recession of 2007. This not only triggered depression and anxiety but has also caused growing complaints of insomnia, suicidal thoughts, and other mental health concerns.

  • Isolation Triggering Mental Health Issues

Most corona patients, locked in their homes or admitted in hospitals surrounded with news of death and health risks, lacking social interaction that’s so important for humans tend to sink deep into issues like depression, dementia, insomnia, and anxiety as concluded by the National Institution for Health Research.

It is the isolation and being cut off from loved ones that mostly result in adverse mental effects.

People may have recovered from corona, however; the mental impact remains.

  • Addiction During Pandemic

The latest mental health news is that around 40% of people in the USA reportedly struggled with mental health throughout 2020 and this can be identified as one of the main reasons behind rising alcoholism.

Loneliness. It’s one of the biggest hurdles for those recovering from addiction during this pandemic. It’s easy to slip into drug addiction during these stressful times.

The current circumstances are fueling addiction and even relapses. The longer an addict spends time alone, is locked up at home the chances are high that one will relapse for solace.

This is an indicator of declining mental health during the pandemic and requires serious support for those afflicted.

  • National Mental Health Response

In order to make mental healthcare services accessible for all, a partnership between federal agencies and the private sector was announced on December 8th, 2020 under the name “The Mental Health & Suicide Prevention National Response to COVID‐19”.

This National Response is obviously much needed and the action plan is as follows:

  • suicide prevention through stronger policies and care
  • services and support available immediately and after the pandemic
  • prevent substance abuse

The director of the National Institute of Mental Health Patrick Kennedy stresses the fact that mental health must be considered a part of the overall healthcare system and not be seen as something separate from it.

  • Students and the Youth

Students have been vulnerable to mental health issues throughout the pandemic, given the rising uncertainty of their future, empty campuses, and unemployment. International students locked in their rooms away from family and friends show signs of depression and anxiety.

Almost 9.7% of youth in the USA experienced major depressive episodes this year and suicidal thoughts have also become prevalent amongst children as young as 11 years old.

  • PTSD- Post Corona Trauma

The psychological pain of knowing that the world that we once lived in, disappeared in a matter of a few months, and caused drastic changes in the lives of everyone. From financial losses to the high death toll, all these uncertainties are bound to cause trauma that will have long-lasting effects. Although economic recovery and vaccines are on the way, it is difficult to tell when mental health issues will be resolved.

However, there are steps that can be taken. Maintaining a regular sleep schedule, working out, engaging with friends and family members, eating healthy, and trying to take out time for self-care is not just recommended, but essential to survive this tough year.

  • What’s Ahead: Jungle Bells and Mental Health

With corona expected to stay around at least until 2021, the holiday season is no longer the same. Depression, abuse of substances, and other challenges especially for those grieving the loss of a loved one.

Many people will be scaling down Christmas celebrations this year, but that doesn’t and shouldn’t mean cutting oneself off from any needed care.

Using tech to your advantage is one of the best pieces of advice people can get this year. Connecting with friends and family across the country through facetime, and other online platforms can be a great source of comfort.

Mental Health News- FAQs

• Eating disorders

• Psychotic disorders

• Anxiety disorders

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

• Mood disorders such as depression

• Personality disorder
Despite there being growth in awareness about mental health, there is still a lack of support and services available to help fight mental health disorders.
Around 264 million people go through depression, which can result in other health issues such as insomnia, anxiety, weight loss etc.
Mental health disorders may get triggered by stress, abuse, or after a traumatic event such as emotional, physical, or sexual abuse. Other triggers include alcohol or other drugs and medical conditions such as diabetes.
Any mental health disorder that affects a person’s ability to function normally is difficult to live with. Psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia are some of the most difficult mental illnesses to live with.
Often, mental illnesses are ignored or overlooked because unlike physical illnesses they are deemed unimportant as they cannot be seen and are mostly affecting the chemistry of one’s brain.
The best way to improve mental health is to open up and seek help from professionals. Staying physically active, eating well, staying connected with loved ones and taking proper medication can help a lot.
Just like any other part of the body, the brain’s health is vital too and is called mental health. It can be either good or bad. A family member’s death may take a toll on one’s mental health but mental illnesses affect one’s ability to function normally.

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