Veterans in Quarantine Face Mental Health Struggles
May 05, 2020
Quarantine and social distancing measures have been deemed necessary to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. By staying out of public spaces and groups of people, the transmission of the COVID-19 virus is slowed, and hospitals are spared an overwhelming influx of sick patients. However, extended isolation can have unintended mental health consequences for many people, and especially veterans.
The coronavirus crisis is potentially triggering, even for those who have never struggled with mental health issues before. Some veterans say that the stress of current events is a tough reminder of the anxiety they experienced while serving. Others struggle with the disruption of everyday activities and services.
To help manage stress during this time, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recommends:
- Maintaining healthy habits, like regular exercise, balanced meals and enough sleep
- Connecting with friends and loved ones while practicing social distancing
- Using breathing and mindfulness exercises and meditation
- Taking breaks from news and other distressing forms of media and entertainment
- Participating in hobby activities, old favorites and new ones
- Limiting alcohol consumption
- Keeping up a regular mental health routine, taking all prescribed medications regularly and using VA telehealth options for mental health appointments
- Reaching out for help if needed; VA facilities are still working to keep veterans safe and can provide support if needed in safe ways
The use of remote for mental health care has risen dramatically for VA patients since the coronavirus outbreak started. Regular in-person appointments were disrupted as most non-essential services transitioned to telemedicine systems and other remote options to maintain social distancing guidelines.
Mental health consultations by phone increased fourfold, with around 40,000 phone appointments in February and 154,000 conducted in March. Mental health appointments held via online video chat were up too. There were 20,000 video chat appointments in February and 34,000 in March, plus another 2,700 group therapy sessions held by video chat. The Veterans Crisis Line is also experiencing a much higher than average call volume.
Veterans experiencing a mental health emergency are encouraged to contact the Veteran Crisis Line at 800-273-8255 and select option 1 for a VA staffer. Veterans, troops or their family members can text 838255 or visit VeteransCrisisLine.net for assistance.