May has marked Mental Health Awareness Month since 1949.
This year, mental health awareness has taken on a new meaning with many sheltering in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A joint Census Bureau and National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) survey called the Household Pulse Survey was recently set up to track the pandemic’s impact.
Data covering May 7 to May 12 showed 31.0% of Oklahomans are showing signs anxiety disorder or depressive disorder. It also shows 27.2% of Oklahomans are showing signs of anxiety disorder and 20.7% are showing signs of depressive disorder.
Lighthouse Behavioral Wellness Centers has seen an uptick in patients showing signs of anxiety as things have opened back up around Texoma, said Jennifer Lehr.
“We’re seeing people with more anxiety especially with isolation,” Lehr said. “We were expecting to see that as well. There is a lot of fear of whether this will be over soon. We’re trying to help people maintain calm as uncertainty is everyone’s biggest fear.”
Lighthouse, which was previously known as Mental Health Services of Southern Oklahoma, has nine locations across Southern Oklahoma. They are spread across six communities: Ada, Ardmore, Durant, Pauls Valley, Seminole and Tishomingo.
Lehr has been a licensed professional counselor with Lighthouse for two years. Previously, she worked at Lighthouse as a case manager for six years.
Lehr said she’s seen people react one of two ways to the coronavirus.
“They either see things going overboard with too many restrictions or the opposite where everyone will get sick,” she said.
People want reassurance that everything will be okay, Lehr said.
“In life we have to take it one day at a time,” she said. “As mental health professionals, we help clients to not overly stress about things we can’t control.”
While Lehr and her colleagues have seen more cases of anxiety, they have also seen cases related to depression.
“There are a lot of people with increased depression being away from family and friends,” she said. “It is hard on adolescents and teenagers cause they can’t go outside. It’s also difficult on parents as well cause they’re trying to keep their kids safe.”
Lehr said the feelings of anxiety or depression are normal.
“It’s normal to have those feelings when you don’t have control over your surroundings,” she said. “We help clients learn ways to deal with it in a healthy manner.”
Lehr said there are different warning signs that may indicate someone is going through a mental illness. These include but are not limited to:
Excessive worry or depression that can’t be controlled
Difficulty understanding one’s feelings
Suicidal thoughts
Changes to sleep or eating habits
Lehr said she understands there is still stigma attached to mental illness.
“If you have a heart illness, you’re going to get that taken care of,” she said. “There’s not any difference if you’re having a mental illness.”
Lehr said the team at Lighthouse wants to help people achieve their goals and happiness.
“We have an integrated program with our physiatrists, therapists, case managers, nurses, recovery specialists and health coaches,” she said.
Lighthouse has a 24-hour help number (800-522-1090) which people can call for assistance or if they need someone to talk to.