A bright side to the COVID-19 pandemic is that it’s brought conversations about mental health to the forefront, according to Richmond’s Pathways Clubhouse.
“Just letting everything sink in, in the last year, it was quite overwhelming, and I think for those who maybe weren’t living with a mental illness, definitely felt their mental wellness decrease,” said Pascale Jendral, of Pathways’ public education program.
As a result, conversations around mental health became “so much broader,” with more people aware of and relating their struggles, she said. There was also more government funding and promotion of available supports.
“I think it just made it OK to decrease the stigma around it, and more people were having these conversations… Despite all the downfalls of this pandemic, I think that was one of the beneficial pieces, was just shining a spotlight on mental health. Everyone has mental health and we’re all going through struggles and it’s OK to access support and to talk about it.”
Barbara Fee, Pathways’ public education program manager, said that clubhouse members “have shared how the pandemic, the isolation, social distancing and sad world events have been extremely taxing on their well-being.” She added that Pathways has also seen an uptick in applications for membership since the pandemic began.
“I have seen so many new, and often very young people — and when I say young I’m talking 19 to 30 — come through our doors.”
There’s also been an uptick in the number of webinars available to people who are struggling with mental health conditions during the pandemic. Pathways has also seen an increase in viewership of its webinars.
“It’s far from uncommon to experience mental-health difficulties,” said Fee. “The opportunities for learning has been terrific.”
In order to help people who may be struggling during the pandemic, Pathways is hosting a webinar next week with Vancouver-based psychologist Dr. Maureen Whittal, known for her work with anxiety disorders, as a continuation of Mental Illness Awareness Week (Oct. 3 to Oct. 9).
“Managing Uncertainty,” a free, virtual event on Oct. 14 from 6:30 to 8 p.m., will include a presentation from Dr. Whittal as well as a question-and-answer period.
It will offer strategies for people to help cope with uncertainty as well as anxious thoughts and feelings. The webinar will also be shared on Pathways YouTube page after it takes place.
Jendral, meanwhile, also hopes that those open conversations around mental health will continue through the pandemic and beyond and that people may be more empathetic to others who might be struggling.
“I’m hoping, as a whole community, we’re still wanting to have these conversations, so we don’t get back to that really rough place and we continually know what’s available. And I’m hoping it continues, now that there was a really strong spotlight out there.”
