The coronavirus pandemic placed extraordinary demands on everyone in America, as well as most individuals across the entire globe. In efforts to curb the spread of the virus nearly all of the United States was shuttered for a period of time, as the government set out stay-at-home orders for all non-essential workers. This meant nationwide school closures, closed business, and extensive layoffs, which has led to the largest unemployment rate since the Great Depression. The anxiety and fear surrounding contracting the novel coronavirus, including the extensive list of severe short-term effects as well as the unknown long-term effects remain palpable in America. There have been millions of deaths, individuals that have been forced into extended social isolation, an exponential surge in abuse and an abundance of tangential mental health disorders that have risen from existing during a pandemic. Still, the emotional fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic will no doubt be astonishing.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides social distancing recommendations with regard to COVID-19. Most recently, some examples of these guidelines include the following:
When an individual is exposed to an individual that has tested positive for COVID-19 he or she is required to remain in quarantine for fourteen days. If an individual tests positive for coronavirus, he or she must remain in quarantine for a minimum of four-teen days, and as long as he or she continues to test positive for the virus. While necessary to slow the spread of the virus, this has resulted in prolonged periods of time where some individuals remain in complete isolation without physical contact and/ or face-to-face interactions with their family and friends.
Families that may not be used to spending significant periods of time together were suddenly ordered to remain home for an unknown period of time. This can expectedly elevate emotions; paired with financial uncertainty and no emotional outlet, it can quickly turn to abuse. Unfortunately, social isolation can exacerbate abuse and reports have further found a clear increase the prevalence of abuse since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.
Distance learning is a controversial topic. School age children that are unable to attend school due to COVID-19 related closures are also unable to be in the presence of other children outside of their immediate family, which requires at least one parent to remain home to care for their child, which in turn prohibits the economy from fully functioning. In efforts to provide students with educational instruction, school districts across the country implemented distance learning. Distance learning often consists of synchronous and asynchronous instruction over the Internet. Depending on the age of the child, in many cases this requires a parent to assist in accessing the online lessons, as well as oversee the process. Parents quickly developed resentment for having to act as teacher for their child, while simultaneously attempting to complete all employment duties related to working from home. Teachers, some of whom are also parents, became frustrated as they were working double time to prepare the differentiated synchronous and asynchronous content with minimal materials. Students became discouraged as their space, opportunity for socialization and in-person instruction were abruptly torn away and new and confusing expectations were quickly thrust onto them.
Seeking help is never easy, but you are not alone! If you or someone you know is in need of mental health treatment, we strongly encourage you to reach out for help as quickly as possible. It is not uncommon for many mental health difficulties to impact a person for the long term. The earlier you seek support, the sooner you and your loved ones can return to happy, healthy and fulfilling lives.
Our admissions team is available to answer any general questions regarding mental health issues, treatment, and/or specific questions about the program at Pacific Teen Treatment and how we might be able to help your family. We can be reached by phone 24/7 at 800-531-5769. You can also contact us via email at info@pacifictrtc.com or through our contact form.
PTT provides treatment for the contemporary issues facing teenagers in today’s world utilizing a family focused and collaborative approach providing individualized care for teens and their families. Licensed by the State of California, Community Care Licensing Division #198209636
At a time when most residential programs are affiliated with large healthcare corporations or backed by private equity, Pacific Teen Treatment is proudly a private, family-owned operation.
