Photo by Pixabay user mohammed-hassan
(SEATTLE) The pandemic has done several things to disrupt our lives, but some experts argue one of the more critical thing caused by the virus is how it has impacted mental health.
The phones at Mindful Therapy Group are ringing. Almost constantly.
“We’re scheduling around 900 patients a week,” says Derek Crain, Co-founder of Mindful Therapy Group. “There’s so much need for mental health care out there right now.”
And while he blames the pandemic, Crain admits there was a shortage of mental health workers before we ever learned the word COVID. Its why Mindful Therapy Group is working hard right now to match hundreds of local, licensed independent therapists with people like you.
“We’re matching them with who they want to see, who they want to connect with,” Crain says. ” Who they vibe with. It’s important because they’re (patients) are craving connection, craving to be heard.”
Crain and other experts have to admit, the pandemic has put a further strain on resources.
“We lost all of our coping mechanisms,” says clinical social worker Nick Norman. “We lost our ability to go to the movies, or go visit friends.”
Even though his office is working to find help for those who need it, there will likely be a wait. Normal urges you not to give up if you’re told it will be weeks before a counselor can see you.
“There are things the can be done in the meantime to help bridge the gap,” Norman says. “There are things we know of that support us emotionally and psychologically. One things were all talking about is the struggle of isolation these last few years. Reach out to somebody, and find someone you can connect with. One of the most powerful indicators of positive mental health outcomes in therapy is literally just how well you connect with your therapist. You may not have a clinician you can go connect with, so find somebody you can at least let the guard down a little bit and find some relief.”
Releasing the pressure will definitely buy you some time.
Both Norman and Crain say we all need people in our lives to talk to. How do you know when that person should be professionally trained? One indicator is when talking with friends and family doesn’t make the pressure go away.
“Everybody needs this (someone to talk to),” Norman say. “If you can at least start somewhere you can hold things down until you can get in to see a therapist.”
