{"id":83075,"date":"2020-05-11T10:27:02","date_gmt":"2020-05-11T15:27:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/news\/?p=83075"},"modified":"2024-09-27T10:00:59","modified_gmt":"2024-09-27T15:00:59","slug":"uwm-psychologists-encourage-use-of-virtual-options-to-take-care-of-mental-health-during-pandemic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/news\/uwm-psychologists-encourage-use-of-virtual-options-to-take-care-of-mental-health-during-pandemic\/","title":{"rendered":"51ÁÔÆæ psychologists urge use of virtual options to take care of mental health during pandemic"},"content":{"rendered":"

Federal guidelines overseeing the availability of mental health services online have been loosened to give providers more flexibility to offer counseling during the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n

Virtually all mental health clinics now offer telehealth services through video or over the phone, said W. Hobart Davies, professor and chair of the psychology department at 51ÁÔÆæ. It\u2019s an important option for those seeking help at a time when most in-person counseling sessions cannot take place due to public health measures to limit the spread of the coronavirus.<\/p>\n

\u201cServices are just as available during this stressful time,\u201d Davies said.<\/p>\n

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W. Hobart Davies<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A poll<\/a> by the American Psychiatric Association found that about 36% of Americans say coronavirus is having a serious impact on their mental health, while 59% say the disease is having a serious impact on their day-to-day lives.<\/p>\n

A nationwide Gallup poll<\/a> conducted from March 21 to April 5 found that 60% of Americans experienced \u201csignificant\u201d stress, up from 46% last year. About 59% of Americans suffered from significant worries, up from 38% in that same span. \u00a0Pollsters said it was unprecedented increase<\/a> in the number of anxious Americans, a statistic that generally shows little change over time.<\/p>\n

Some people are struggling with job loss. Many parents are juggling full-time jobs from home while overseeing their children\u2019s education with schools shifting to online instruction. Social isolation has disrupted normal routines.<\/p>\n

\u201cTherapy can be helpful across this range of challenges,\u201d said Davies, whose research focuses on child and adolescent psychology. \u201cIt can help structure daily routines and negotiate relationship rules, or just provide an outlet from the emotional intensity\u201d of the crisis.<\/p>\n

Typically, nearly 20% of Americans experience some type of mental illness each year. Of that group, less than half receive mental health care, said Shawn Cahill, an associate professor of psychology.<\/p>\n

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Shawn Cahill<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Depression and anxiety disorders are among the most common forms of mental illness.<\/p>\n

Recent studies have found that the psychotherapy delivered by telehealth methods can be just as effective as in-person therapy sessions, Cahill said.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot everyone needs to begin mental health counseling to stay mentally healthy,\u201d Cahill said. \u201cBut stigma associated with mental illness is one of the biggest barriers to people seeking and receiving mental health care when it is warranted.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be embarrassed to seek help for yourself, and be supportive of others who are contemplating entering counseling,\u201d Cahill added.<\/p>\n

At 51ÁÔÆæ, University Counseling Services is offering telehealth counseling to students who already have established relationships with 51ÁÔÆæ counselors. They can be reached by phone for crisis situations<\/a> during business hours, while people needing help after hours can reach any of the following local or national hotlines:<\/p>\n