As we navigate through these unprecedented times, as helping professionals, we prepare ourselves to help those patients who come our way. What we are less prepared for, are those times that our patients are one of us. The author answers the question, “How does caring for one of our own affect our work during this time of crisis?”
Coping with a mental illness is always difficult, but the COVID-19 pandemic presents additional challenges. The author shares her personal story of how the pandemic has impacted her treatment and how she is practicing self-care. She offers helpful suggestions for those coping with behavioral health conditions and their support systems.
The first time my husband deployed was just a few short weeks after we got married. We had a son who was three and a half at the time, yet the three of us had never actually lived together. To say we received more than our share of doubts that our family would “make it” would be putting it lightly.
Although some apps claim to address Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), as yet none can simulate the intensity of medical grade light boxes or have any research supporting their use. Additionally, therapists who use any apps to communicate with or monitor data from their patients are technically engaged in telehealth and should be aware of applicable laws, including HIPAA.
In the U.S., awareness of mental health problems as a common public health challenge has grown. An important example of societal support and awareness of the need for access to mental health services is reflected in the Mental Health Parity Act (MHPA) of 1996 and the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) of 2008.