The One-Year-Old Pandemic And Mushrooming Mental Health Challenges

By Ettie Rutherford
Contributing Columnist

As we enter year two of the pandemic, there is growing concern about not merely the physical conditions of those, who are suffering from the virus, but also significant apprehension, regarding the virus on everyone’s mental health.

Lisa Carlson, the immediate Past President of the American Public Health Association, has stated that, whereas the expected vaccine will deal with the virus, there is no vaccine to deal with the escalation of mental health problems, based on the added stress that is being experienced by everyone from pre-schoolers to senior citizens.

Because of the lack of separation, between work and home, there is an increase in irregular sleeping patterns, depression, trauma, as well as overeating, weight gain, the escalation of depression, negative thoughts, and stress. Everyone, regardless of age, is at risk.

While adults are capable of disclosing their concerns, many children are having great difficulty in dealing with the new way of life, at home and at school. Therefore, there is a noticeable rise in suicides and suicide attempts among, not only adults, but teenagers as well.

The escalation of murders and physical abuse towards women and children is also another manifestation of the increase in mental health problems.

On Monday’s front page of the Toronto Star newspaper, there is a picture and story of a 16-year-old boy, who committed suicide in January.

The newspaper goes on to say that three of Ontario’s largest children’s hospitals have “seen spikes in youth suicidal behavior, self-harm and suicide attempts”.

Also of importance is the fact that visits to Emergency Departments, by children and youth, have increased because of a 30 percent increase of children, who have actually hurt themselves.

The newspaper also stated that… in December, 60 Sick Kids patients sought help for mental health symptoms. At McMaster Children’s Hospital, in Hamilton, 26 youth were admitted after suicide attempts between October 2020 and January 2021, and, in other instances, there has been a 79 percent increase of children seeking help for self-harm.

The question begs to be asked: why hasn’t the government alerted the public to this situation or helped parents to recognize the signs of mental illness? Where are the resources to assist these children, who are in need of mental therapy?

Needless to say, there is definitely the same situation among adult men and women, many of whom had been experiencing mental issues before the pandemic.

My heart breaks. I do not profess to be a medical expert, however, because of my experience in education as classroom teacher, Language Arts Consultant, and elementary school Principal, with training in Jamaica, Alberta and Ontario, I am suggesting that whether parents can detect mental challenges or not, the best thing is to immerse children, of all ages, in the Arts: music, art, drama, and dance. With assistance from the government, careful distancing, and other considerations this can be done.

Let us all strive to be more aware of children or adults, who have gone from smiling, to being depressed, who are not eating as usual, who refuse to discuss their feelings, who are unable to sleep.

And, let us never forget the ongoing viruses of racism and sexism that will also mitigate on how services will eventually be provided.

If you care about children then please call your MPP, Mayor, and Premier about the neglect of our children.

When will all of us realize that mental health must be treated like every other illness?

Since there are no vaccines to deal with deterioration of the mind, there is need to:
1. Demand mental health programs from the government.
2. Seek immediate help for family members, who are displaying signs of mental changes.
3. Forget the stigma attached to getting help from a psychiatrist.
4. Engage practical exercise regimes, not only for adults, but also for students, who no longer have regular physical education classes or group sports after school.
5. Be mentally active each day by reading, doing puzzles, listening to music, or journaling.

Within a week, my new web-site, EREducation Consulting, will be providing content and services for parents and educators. Please inform others.

This too shall pass, with God’s help.

In Sisterhood.

Award-winning Ettie Rutherford, B.Ed, Dip.Ed, M.Ed, is an educator, life coach, consultant and author of “Why Perch Like A Chick When You Can Soar Like An Eagle?”. An accomplished public speaker, Ettie is the Founder and CEO of Women Are Worthy, which provides step-by-step strategies for women to achieve their goals, with a minimum amount of stress. She can be reached at ettie@womenrworthy.com