Citation

Brinkley A, Jorgensen S, Swartz M. Psychiatr. Serv. 2020; 71(11): e1095.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, American Psychiatric Association)

DOI

10.1176/appi.ps.711103

PMID

33135601

Abstract

This issue includes a timely article by Costa et al. (1) about the effects of COVID-19 on persons living with mental illness. The brief report shares the results of an online survey conducted 3 weeks into the pandemic by the peer community platform ForLikeMinds. Although the response rate from the platform's 12,000 members was relatively low (N=214, with 193 self-identifying as living with mental illness), the results were instructive. Of persons living with mental illness, 12% thought they were coping well with the pandemic, and 23% said they were coping poorly. Of particular concern, feelings of isolation were reported by 68%, and 57% felt they were less connected socially. Prominent were concerns about the continuity of treatment or potential losses of family supports. Now, 8 months into the pandemic, we recognize that the dimensions of such concerns have grown into a mental health crisis for the general U.S. population.

A primary theme highlighted in this survey was the value of social connection. Connection is critical to wellness and recovery, it is promising to note that most survey respondents indicated that they could connect with someone via phone, text, or social media. As the pandemic continues, decreasing the feelings of isolation becomes increasingly important. As mental health professionals, we should continue to explore how we can connect with our patients and help them consider and pursue ways in which they may safely foster connections with their family, friends, coworkers, and peers...

Language: en

Keywords

Coronavirus/COVID-19; pandemic; peer support; support systems