Mental Health, the Pandemic & Reducing Stigma
On the Oprah Winfrey special that aired on Sunday, March 7, 2021, Meghan Markle told Oprah that she struggled with suicidal thoughts at times while pregnant and was not able to get the help that she needed even though she asked for it.
I have discussed the stigma around mental health in other blog posts (Politics, COVID & Destigmatizing Mental Health Care and Beware of the Media’s Often Inaccurate Portrayal of Those with Mental Health Issues). Meghan’s interview with Oprah once again addresses the issue of stigma and could potentially help others, as Meghan Markle is a widely beloved public figure and her bravery in asking for help when she needed it could serve as a powerful example to others as discussed in these two articles, among many:
Recently, another accomplished woman, Michele Obama, also opened up about having low grade depression during the pandemic in a CNN interview.
Reducing mental illness stigma is especially important now that people who have never before struggled with mental health issues may be susceptible to anxiety and posttraumatic stress symptoms in the age of COVID-19. Not only does having COVID-19 have possible mental health consequences, but other causes of the pandemic such as losing loved ones, isolation, and abrupt changes in routine as things reopen with wide-spread vaccination can also contribute to changes in mental health status.
To this end, a bill will be introduced in the senate to help research the impact of COVID-19 on mental health. If passed, it should also help with increasing access to psychiatric treatment and further reducing the ongoing stigma of mental health care.
Please reach out if you or a loved one are struggling during these difficult times.