Even before the pandemic, access to mental health services in the U.S. could be difficult. Now experts fear COVID-19 will make the situation worse.
Aubrey, 57, describes the loneliness brought on by social distancing protocols after receiving a dose of antipsychotic medication to treat his schizophrenia, Wednesday, May 6, 2020, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. Even before the pandemic, access to mental health services in the U.S. could be difficult, including for people with insurance. Now experts fear COVID-19 will make the situation worse.
When a caregiver recently checked on him, Bell noted that life before the pandemic was happier and “more social.” “For people who are socially disadvantaged and have mental illness, it’s just a lot to ask,” said Dr. Jeanie Tse of the Institute for Community Living, which treats Bell and others who would not seek care on their own but are referred to the city by social workers and shelters.
In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for example, Karalyn Hipsley was working extra on weekends to cover co-pays for therapy and the insurance she has through her husband’s job. “You can’t put people into situations where they’re locked in their homes for weeks on end and not expect that there’s going to a significant number of people that develop mental health problems,” said Elinore McCance-Katz, who leads the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Many homeless people are avoiding shelters out of fear of infection, making it harder for agencies to identify people in need of care.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
New Jersey says complaints about price gouging, fraud tripled amid the coronavirus pandemic'We have received thousands and thousands of complaints from New Jerseyans who feel that they have been taken advantage,' New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal warned.
Read more »
Nike Unveils New 'Contactless' Shopping Measures to Make In-Person Retail Safer amid PandemicUsing the mobile app, shoppers can scan barcodes in the stores to request fitting options and check out themselves when finished
Read more »
Flower shop notes offer glimpse into New Yorkers connecting during coronavirus pandemic
Read more »
Flower shop notes offer glimpse into New Yorkers connecting during coronavirus pandemicMichael Sclafani didn't previously pay much attention to customers' personal messages as he hand-wrote cards to accompany the flowers they ordered from his Brooklyn shop. Now, in addition to dashing off happy birthday, anniversary and Mother's Day cards, Sclafani finds himself playing the
Read more »
New East Village Restaurant Is Betting on the Automat for Its Pandemic SurvivalRestaurateur Stratis Morfogen is going the way of automats with his new dumpling fast food restaurant
Read more »