With winter right around the corner and coronavirus cases spiking in many areas across the country, mental health is a great concern for both the young and old.Dr. Drew Pate, chief of psychiatry at LifeBridge Health's Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, told sister station WBAL-TV that an increasing number of people are getting frustrated with what is happening now concerning the pandemic and the future, and it's taking a toll on mental health."I think that really allows us to understand where each other is at in our thinking, but it also allows us to support each other and making it through," Pate said.With government officials all but canceling Thanksgiving, Pate said we need to remind ourselves about what is good in our lives and support one another."Thinking about that future time, thinking about that time when you're first going to be able to have that re-shared hug, or vacation, or trip to see the grandparents is really, I think, the way to bring that back into your mind as a reality," Pate said.The stresses of the coronavirus are affecting people of all ages.Kim Burton, acting director of older adult programs for the Mental Health Association of Maryland, says that older adults, while more resilient, could still be impacted by isolation and fear of getting the coronavirus, so communication with them is key.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"Mental health should be a priority right now," Burton said. "Instead of talking them out of that distress, let them talk about that distress. It's really important that they can communicate how they're feeling."Dr. Jemima Ama Kankam, medical director of outpatient behavioral health at MedStar Health's Harbor Hospital, says that communication is also important when dealing with young people."It's about the social interaction that helps their growth, their mental health," Kankam said.Kankam said that while kids are not physically in school, it's important for parents to maintain a structure and routine."Even if that structure means waking up at the same time, eating together, talking. Talking is very helpful," Kankam said.
BALTIMORE — With winter right around the corner and coronavirus cases spiking in many areas across the country, mental health is a great concern for both the young and old.
Dr. Drew Pate, chief of psychiatry at LifeBridge Health's Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, told sister station WBAL-TV that an increasing number of people are getting frustrated with what is happening now concerning the pandemic and the future, and it's taking a toll on mental health.
"I think that really allows us to understand where each other is at in our thinking, but it also allows us to support each other and making it through," Pate said.
With government officials , Pate said we need to remind ourselves about what is good in our lives and support one another.
"Thinking about that future time, thinking about that time when you're first going to be able to have that re-shared hug, or vacation, or trip to see the grandparents is really, I think, the way to bring that back into your mind as a reality," Pate said.
The stresses of the coronavirus are affecting people of all ages.
Kim Burton, acting director of older adult programs for the Mental Health Association of Maryland, says that older adults, while more resilient, could still be impacted by isolation and fear of getting the coronavirus, so communication with them is key.
"Mental health should be a priority right now," Burton said. "Instead of talking them out of that distress, let them talk about that distress. It's really important that they can communicate how they're feeling."
Dr. Jemima Ama Kankam, medical director of outpatient behavioral health at MedStar Health's Harbor Hospital, says that communication is also important when dealing with young people.
"It's about the social interaction that helps their growth, their mental health," Kankam said.
Kankam said that while kids are not physically in school, it's important for parents to maintain a structure and routine.
"Even if that structure means waking up at the same time, eating together, talking. Talking is very helpful," Kankam said.
