Coronavirus may come to an end, but the need for mental health care is constant | Opinion – Tennessean

Michael Genovese, Guest columnist Published 7:00 a.m. CT April 18, 2020

The coronavirus is causing major stresses in households. Here's a look at how the country is doing and tips on how to cope with mental health issues. USA TODAY

As we watched the COVID-19 pandemic escalate to unmanageable levels in countries like Italy, Spain and France, we saw what was coming to the United States.

The U.S. has fewer hospital beds (2.8 per 1,000 people) than all three of those countries (Spain, 3.0; Italy, 3.2; France, 6.0), according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Our communities are experiencing challenges from the COVID-19 virus unlike any seen before. Hospitals in New York City and Seattle overflowed. Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said March 24 that the citys intensive care units are at capacity. These are major metropolitan areas. The surge in more rural locations with fewer beds may yet come.

Its a physical healthcare crisis that requires multiple solutions in real time.

As behavioral health care providers, we need to have a two-pronged approach. In the short term, we must prepare to take on patients who have nonacute needs where beds are available to allow our medical and surgical hospitals to focus on those who have tested positive for COVID-19.

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We then must prepare for a surge of our own.

This is truly an unprecedented time. In the midst of turbulent uncertainty, we have historically seen an increased need for psychiatric care. The physical fallout from this pandemic will affect thousands, if not millions, across the world. But the mental and emotional toll amid job loss, stock market volatility, and extraordinary social precautions will be even greater.

In my 19 years in behavioral health, I have seen our society overcome global and economic crises, from 9/11 to the H1N1 swine flu outbreak, the 2008 financial crisis and several natural disasters. But none of these devastating events has as much potential for far-reaching and sustained psychological and economic impact as COVID-19.

Those who have existing mental health concerns, particularly anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder, may find their symptoms exacerbated. And for those who hadnt previously displayed symptoms, fears of how to make ends meet, a potential recession and concern over the continued toll of the virus can spark the development of other mental illness.

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In Portland, Oregon, police saw a 23% increase in calls for threats or attempts of suicide in the first 10 days after the citys state of emergency declaration. Suicide hotlines nationwide are reporting similar spikes.

More than 48,000 Americans died by suicide in 2018, and 1.4 million attempted suicide, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Nearly 70,000 died from a drug overdose in 2018.

All of this data comes from a timeframe when economic conditions were largely positive. It may not be apparent right away, but mental health and addiction treatment in a post-pandemic world will be essential. Behavioral healthcare providers like Acadia Healthcare will play an even larger role than usual in helping people endure through psychiatric peril.

In these unusual times, the idea of seeking out appropriate treatment might seem even more daunting. Thats why services like Treatment Placement Specialists exist. TPS is a team of behavioral healthcare professionals that helps support families, clients, and clinicians who are seeking comprehensive mental health or addiction programming.

As we navigate toward an uncertain financial future, its helpful to take advantage of free services even something as small as an online yoga class or e-learning course. TPS is a complimentary resource as well, doing the legwork of finding optimal treatment that leads to the most positive recovery outcomes.

This pandemic has forced us to press pause on so many aspects of our day-to-day lives that, ultimately, can wait until tomorrow. We will eventually be able to dine out at restaurants, visit libraries and museums, and attend concerts, movies, and sporting events again.

But mental illness and addiction dont suddenly go on hiatus. As bedrocks of the behavioral health community, with opportunities to help those most in need during this uniquely trying time, we must endure as well.

And we will.

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Michael Genovese, M.D., J.D. is chief medical officer at Acadia Healthcare.

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Coronavirus may come to an end, but the need for mental health care is constant | Opinion - Tennessean