The current health crisis has many dimensions. Across the country, hospitals are overwhelmed and struggling to deliver care to people in need. Healthcare workers are stressed and exhausted, and many have experienced burnout. This has contributed to a growing number of violence and suicides against healthcare workers and the overall climate of distrust in our communities. At the same time, many families are facing an escalating number of distressing events, including displacement, financial hardship and loss of access to healthcare.
At the same time, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought attention to longstanding inequalities in healthcare access and outcomes, particularly for marginalized populations. Communities of color, individuals with disabilities, and those living on lower incomes experience well-documented and substantial differences in incidences of disease, hospitalizations, and mortality. This chasm is made even more significant during times of high stress and uncertainty.
People in mental health crises experience a range of emotional and physical symptoms, including fear, anxiety, anger, depression, impaired functioning, and a risk of self-harm or harm to others. Emotional and psychological support are essential to deescalate a mental health crisis. This can include active listening, validating a person’s experiences, and providing reassurance. In addition to these supports, some people will need short-term intensive treatment in a safe environment. This can be provided by a 24-hour crisis line, private psychiatric hospitals, general hospitals with a psychiatric floor, or state psychiatric hospitals.
Despite the challenges, it is critical that we remain vigilant to ensure that the health crisis response remains focused on preventing further harm and ensuring that the public health needs of everyone are met. This includes strengthening prevention, increasing community-level outreach with effective messaging, addressing the needs of vulnerable populations, and ensuring that health services are accessible for those in crisis.