Minneapolis Star Tribune reports…

Minnesota nonprofits are boosting mental health services, bracing for a wave created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is the “calm before the storm,” said Shannah Mulvihill, executive director of Mental Health Minnesota, a St. Paul nonprofit. “We’re concerned there’s going to be a flood of people in need of help. We will continue to see an increase in anxiety, depression and PTSD-like symptoms for a long time going forward.”

Rising unemployment and social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic is exacerbating anxiety, depression, eating disorders and other mental health issues. According to the Washington Post, a federal emergency hotline for people in emotional distress registered a more than 1,000% increase in April compared with last year. And, in a Kaiser Family Foundation poll, nearly half of Americans reported the coronavirus outbreak was harming their mental health.

The article outlines some resources and trends and continues…

In fact, therapy and other mental health services are easier to access with providers shifting to telehealth, said Sue Abderholden, executive director of NAMI Minnesota.

What they neglect to point is that only people with broadband can access these resources. They do list a few phone numbers but that’s not the same as a face to face session or for those who need it a text-based conversation. As many of us are quarantined with loves ones at our side all-day, every-day alternate resources that are quieter may be welcome to protect privacy and safety.