No Longer Uncomfortable: Let’s Talk About Anxiety
Several outlets in the mainstream news media have reported growing evidence of anxiety and suicides due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There is no dispute that the suicide rate in the U.S. is rising, across all ages and socio-economic levels. Organizations such as WHO and CDC have released studies outlining the after-effects of the virus worldwide (1). The Journal of American Medicine has documented viable links between suicide and the pandemic (2), making the hidden victims of this global virus more important than the rumors about inflated death counts.
The complete story of a surge in suicide rates in this country has many contributing factors. The pandemic may be one vital factor, but more important than the illness itself is the fear generated by a media that is obsessed with death counts and changes in the rate of infection. Reporting on the virus and how to avoid catching it is one thing: Leading headlines about growing morbidity and constant comparisons to death rates in other countries is sensationalism that promotes anxiety and misbelief. Fear is a powerful emotion that generates so many other negative feelings, and news outlets must share the blame in surpassing “information” in an effort to raise the alarm every day.
Other contributing factors are isolation caused by shutdowns and restrictions on social gatherings. The business landscape where concerts and church gatherings are prohibited, but Wal-Marts and liquor stores remain open, is a bleak reminder that we have allowed the government to control too much of our lives. To add to this, businesses that have struggled to re-open are doing so with reduced hours of operation. This adds to anxiety through frustration for the customers and fewer work hours for those needing a regular paycheck.
Adding to this list of toxic symptoms in our society today is the rise in inflation. Make no mistake, the rising price of a gallon of gas is clarifying the fact that prices in food and other consumables have risen significantly. The uncertainty created here is where consumers wonder what’s going on, and no answer exists because the only thing more troubling than discussing suicide rates is the high cost of HVAC filters. In a country where baby-boomers rely on fixed incomes, and Gen-Z’ers live paycheck to paycheck, a rising cost of living can be emotionally debilitating.
And don’t forget the cultural anxiety bred by anarchists and criminals who exploit a desire for social justice solely to further the cause of destruction and divisiveness. Their goal is neither peace nor justice, and our emotions suffer from the bruises of moral abuse and disrespect. If we as Americans need a common focus to enhance unity, it should be to denounce those who seek disorder and chaos in our society.
Solutions are coming, they’re just not coming fast enough for media outlets to pay attention to them. First and foremost, human beings are still social animals (not social-media animals), and we need to verbally discuss the effects this period is having on us. This is not whining or making excuses, this is a healthy discussion with friends and/or family about what is concerning us. Even if the response is less than that of a trained therapist, the act of sharing and being acknowledged is a powerful antidote to isolationism and marginalization.
The growing sector of “experts” on mental health matters is proof that this malaise in our cultural growth is evident. The amount of Americans reporting anxiety symptoms is triple the number of this time last year (3) The stigma of seeking help with suicide prevention or affirming the emotional conflicts that we all confront must be averted. And it shall, with time and the will power of all Americans. Enhanced efforts such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) have shown results in reducing personal anxiety by empowering folks to avoid fear and negative behaviors. We can do this, we just need to address the negativity that permeates today’s culture, thereby allowing more focus on the positive aspects in our lives, such as our love and faith.
Footnotes:
(1) World Health Organization (2020), “Mental health and psychosocial considerations during the COVID-19 outbreak”, 18 March.
(2) Reger, M A, I H Stanley and T E Joiner (2020), “Suicide mortality and coronavirus disease 2019 – A perfect storm?”, JAMA Psychiatry, 10 April.
(3) Dr. Robert Redfield, C/CDC, 2020