Pandemic Blues: How Health Management Programs are Addressing Mental Health Concerns

COVID-19 has upended people’s lives for more than a year, on multiple levels—financial, physical, social and mental. The rapid succession of changes to everyone’s daily lives has caused an uptick in depression, anxiety and loneliness. From remote learning to furloughed employees, people have felt disruptions on an elevated level. Even as COVID-19 restrictions ease up and vaccinations bring small doses of hope, Americans are still dealing with the psychological effects of the past year.

People of all ages found themselves confined to their homes with little to no physical interaction with other people. Not only did this take a toll on their physical health, but they also felt the adverse effects on their mental health. The results from a survey conducted by the American Psychological Association (APA) showed increased stress levels among adults compared to the same time last year, with 84% of respondents saying they felt at least one emotion associated with perpetual stress. “The most common were feelings of anxiety (47%), sadness (44%), and anger (39%).” 

The emotional stress from the pandemic extends beyond everyday people and has specifically wreaked havoc on healthcare workers who experienced first-hand the devastating impact this virus has on people. Spending most of their waking hours trying to save lives while losing other patients who fought for their lives has had a huge, lasting mental impact on frontline workers.

To relieve the pandemic anxiety and depression, some people turned to tobacco and alcohol use. A recent report shows that pandemic stress caused tobacco usage in smokers to increase by 30%. In turn, the increase in anxiety, depression, and tobacco usage significantly impacts survival outcomes for COVID-19 patients. Unsurprisingly, tobacco use is one of the most dangerous activities someone can do while trying to survive a virus that attacks the respiratory system. 

As COVID-19 cases decline and people are starting to get back to some sense of normalcy, the lasting effects of stress and depression over the past year continue to be daily issues. Healthcare providers need to offer holistic programs to support each patient's individual needs to better their health both mentally and physically.

New health technology management systems empower providers to focus on a patient's specific needs by developing a tailored program that enables optimal whole-person health. Robust digital health platforms create better health outcomes and tackle the logistical side of healthcare, such as claims processing, compliance, patient engagement, eligibility verification, consumer matching, and vendor management. Below are examples of conditions that these solutions address:

• Loneliness and isolation. To combat pandemic loneliness and isolation, it is best to utilize a solution that motivates patients to make social connections by providing them with digital and in-person clubs and activities. These resources can be made available to all age groups. 
• Anxiety and depression. Cognitive behavioral therapy promotes mindfulness to help patients struggling with sleep deprivation, stress, depression and anxiety. This kind of therapy is only appropriate for patients aged 18 and older. 
• Tobacco cessation. To help patients quit smoking, it is critical to utilize a tobacco cessation program. This will drastically decrease their risk of developing cancer, emphysema, and other tobacco-related diseases. As reported by the FDA, “The adverse health effects from tobacco use cause more than 480,000 deaths each year in the United States.” While these numbers are startling, it is essential to note that it is entirely preventable.  
• Weight management. The ‘Quarantine 15’ became very real for people who spent months in isolation with limited access to physical activity and, in some cases, unlimited access to food. An effective weight management program should focus on losing weight through lifestyle changes rather than surgery or weight-loss pills. Helping patients gain control of their weight can significantly decrease their chances of falling prey to Type 2 Diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. Health coaches should be available for both virtual care and in-person sessions. 

While generations of people across America face unprecedented mental health struggles, they should be reminded by healthcare professionals that they are not alone. Health management systems exist for the sole purpose of pinpointing a person’s condition and providing recovery efforts. As the healthcare industry moves into the next phase of the “new normal,” providers should be equipped with patient-focused solutions to tackle the mental and physical health effects. The vital thing to note is that while COVID-19 has caused tragic problems, the results of this crippling virus do not need to prevail over the prodigious willpower of the human body and mind. 

Ted Hong is senior vice president and chief engagement officer for Solera Health.