Mental Health Awareness Month underscores systemwide efforts

Mental Health Awareness Month served as a reminder that mental well-being initiatives, the fight to end stigma and work to broaden access to services remain priorities for Penn State Health. Experts stress that conversations about mental health should occur on a regular basis.

The country was already wrestling with high rates of mental illness and substance use prior to COVID-19. Isolation, grief, job loss, food instability and a disruption in critical community support services led to increased use of tobacco products and alcohol, sleep disruption, intensified episodes of mental illness and escalated opioid abuse and suicide attempts. The pandemic spared no demographic, and serious gaps in access were revealed.

Through work with Penn State Health and with the Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute, Psychiatry and Behavioral Health faculty and staff kept up with the ongoing responsibilities of crisis response, patient evaluation, therapy and medical management. They also stepped up to meet the surge in patient demand, support front-line staff and provide resources to the community.

Just as the other clinical teams had to pivot and adopt new care practices, the Psychiatry and Behavioral Health faculty and staff implemented workflow changes and used every possible resource to help patients and colleagues deal with the impacts of isolation, loss, and trauma.

A national discussion has emerged about the lingering effects of the pandemic on mental well-being. Penn State Health seeks to help people pick up the pieces in the aftermath of the crisis.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted all of us, but more greatly impacted the lives of the most vulnerable in our society. By coming together as a community, we can all assist each other,” said Dr. Erika Saunders, Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Chair of Psychiatry. “For those with mental health care needs, our teams have done amazing work in this past year caring for health care workers and the community. We are expanding our reach by integrating with primary care and using telehealth to connect to people and families in need.”

Penn State Health’s behavioral health leaders have joined important policy discussions  and will continue to play a critical role in this new environment as advocates, researchers and trusted community resources.

Employees and faculty who need support should contact Pastoral Services or the Employee Assistance Program at 866-0465-8935. Talk, reach out, and know that you are never alone.

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