Feeling the pressures of the pandemic: Suicide hotlines see 800 percent spike in calls

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Jobs disappearing, businesses shutting down, and separation from friends and family due to COVID-19 have placed an uncomfortable, emotional strain on people. Some describe feelings of unmanageable stress, isolation sadness and thoughts of being trapped or powerless.

With that, Former Congressman Patrick J Kennedy says calls at suicide hotlines have increased by 800 percent as resources shift to COVID-19 relief. The mental health advocate sounded the alarm at a Metro Nashville news conference, raising the question – Will the silent killer of mental illness be our country’s next major crisis?

“The tragedy of COVID is it exacerbates this already prevalent mental health and addiction crisis. No one doubts that mental health and addiction is real,” Kennedy commented. “Every single American has been faced with a mental health issue in this COVID crisis, themselves, not just a family member, but themselves.”

His short answer: yes. Kennedy believes mental illness and addiction crises are right underneath the COVID-19 emergency, not waiting to creep out.

“We ought to be concerned about people dying. Whether they’re dying of the COVID or whether they’re dying of overdose, it’s still a death and there’s not one that’s worse than the other because both deaths rob families and a loved one, and they ought to be paid attention to,” Kennedy said.

The pandemic combined with an expected economic downturn may lead to a rush of mental health struggles.

According to a report from McKinsey, many countries noticed higher rates of depression, anxiety and alcohol and drug use following the global financial crisis in 2007-08. Moving into 2008, the organization says the Great Recession carried a 13 percent increase in suicides attributable to unemployment with more than 46,000 lives lost.

A national survey conducted by the company from March 27-29 shows that people are already feeling the pressures of the pandemic. 35 percent of those surveyed felt anxious or depressed, with 42 percent of those attributing it to job reduction or loss. 53 percent of people responding to the survey said they were in moderate distress, with 27 percent in high distress. One out of four people reported binge drinking at least once a week. One out of five people said they took prescription drugs for non-medical reasons.

Using information from the U.S. Census and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the company took a deeper look at the association between inequality and the suicide rate in the U.S. Their findings illustrate a sad statistic that suicide rates spike as income equality increases in the country.

Experts say a surge in mental health issues comes at a cost. According to the World Health Organization, depression and anxiety are estimated to cost the global economy $1 trillion per year in lost productivity.

In Tennessee alone, more than 240,000 people have filed for unemployment since the beginning of the outbreak.

“COVID is an example of what happens when we’re ill-prepared. We don’t have enough personal protective equipment. We don’t have enough ventilators. We don’t have the kind of response strategy that we need,” Former Congressman Kennedy said while comparing COVID-19 to mental illness. “The question now is are we going to prepare ourselves in a way that we never prepared ourselves during the COVID crisis? What is the equivalent of personal protective equipment? What’s the equivalent of ventilators?”

Worries also surround those working on the front lines of the pandemic. According to Nashville Mayor Cooper, a recent survey found that, of 1,257 health care workers caring for COVID-19 patients in China, 71.5 percent reported experiencing symptoms of psychological distress. Additionally, 50 percent showed symptoms of depression, 45 percent of anxiety, and 34 percent of insomnia.

To build resilience, Cooper says we must find ways to cope.

Nashville leaders claim that accessing help for mental health has never been easier. They partnered with the organization Psych Hub to give Davidson County residents more resources.

Mental health resources:

People in crisis should call the Mobile Crisis line at 615-726-0125, or the Crisis Center at 615-244-7444, or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255). Click here to find more information about clinical health services offered by Metro Health.

General Resources:

• Coping with Mental Health Issues From COVID-19
• Tips for Managing Social Isolation
• Tips for Managing Working from Home
• Wellness Tips for Improving Your Mental Health
• The Connection Between Mental and Physical Health
• Drinking or Using More Than Intended
• Depressed Mood: Smiling on the Outside
• Self Care as a Caregiver: Protecting Yourself from Burnout
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• What is Anxiety
• Panic Attacks: Dying Every Time
• Difficulty Sleeping

Resources for Youth:

• Youth Mental Health Crisis: Options and Resources
• Depression and Anxiety in Youth: What a Family Needs to Know
• Traumatic Events During Childhood: How to Help in the Moment
• Youth Suicide: What a Family Needs to Know

Resources for Health Care Providers:

• Grief and Loss
• Compassion Fatigue

Additional Resources:

• American Psychological Association (APA): APA’s resources include articles, tip sheets, podcasts, and webinars to support the mental wellness of psychologists, health care professionals, and those in quarantine due to COVID-19. Learn more at www.apa.org/COVID-19.
• Mental healthcare for Military: Cohen Clinic at Centerstone is ready and willing to help military members who battle mental health issues. Click here fore more.
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP): AFSP’s resources are designed to help everyone to take care of their mental health and to reach out and stay connected to those who may be isolated and need the extra support. Learn more about AFSP’s resources on Mental Health and COVID19 by visiting https://afsp.org/COVID19
• Columbia Psychiatry: Columbia Psychiatry resources include articles, mini-courses, podcasts, webinars and interviews to support the work and mental wellness of health care professionals, researchers, patients and those in quarantine due to COVID-19. Learn more at https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/coronavirus-resource-center and https://www.columbiapsychiatry.org/news/covid-19-updates-and-information-columbia-psychiatry
• Mental Health America: Mental Health America provides guidance in numerous areas, including financial support, tools and information on anxiety, tools to connect with others, resources for immediate response, webinars, live events and workshops, for mental health providers, parents, caregivers, older adults, domestic violence survivors, the LGBTQ community, veterans, how-to articles, and general information about COVID-19. Find the comprehensive list at mhanational.org/covid19.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): NAMI’s resources address FAQs regarding the intersection between the coronavirus and people affected by mental illness and their families and caregivers. Topics range from managing anxiety and social isolation to accessing health care and medications. Learn more at https://nami.org/covid-19.