PSA: February 24, 2021

Bay Path University PSA for February 24, 2021

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BPU COVID REPORT

The American Psychiatric Association defines Mental illnesses as health conditions involving changes in emotion, thinking or behavior (or a combination of these). Mental illnesses are associated with distress and/or problems functioning in social, work or family activities. You are not alone.

Mental illness is common at all ages. Nearly 1 in every 5 adults in the US experience some form of mental illness each year.

Mental illness is not your fault. For many people recovery is possible, especially when you recognize the need for help and start treatment early.

Trying to tell if you have a mental illness or are experiencing appropriate behavioral reactions to the events happening in our lives can be difficult.

There are many different types of mental illness and each illness has its own symptoms, but common signs of mental illness can include the following:

• Excessive worrying or fear
• Feeling excessively sad or low
• Confused thinking or problems concentrating and learning
• Extreme mood changes, including uncontrollable “highs” or feelings of euphoria
• Prolonged or strong feelings of irritability or anger
• Avoiding friends and social activities
• Difficulties understanding or relating to other people
• Changes in sleeping habits or feeling tired and low energy
• Changes in sex drive
• Changes in eating habits such as increased hunger or lack of appetite
• Difficulty perceiving reality
• Inability to perceive changes in one’s feelings, behavior or personality
• Overuse of substances like alcohol or drugs
• Multiple physical ailments without obvious causes (such as headaches, stomach aches)
• Thinking about suicide
• Inability to carry out daily activities or handle daily problems or stress
• Intense fear of weight gain or concern with appearance

Statistics since the COVID-19 Pandemic started:

• More than 2 in 5 US residents report struggling with mental or behavioral health issues associated with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, including anxiety, depression, increased substance use, and suicidal thoughts
• In June 2020 nearly 41% of US adults reported experiencing at least 1 adverse mental or behavioral health condition.
• Symptoms of anxiety disorder were 3 times those reported in 2019
• Symptoms of depressive disorder were almost 4 times those reported in 2019.

Where to go to get help?

• Friends
• Family
• Primary Care Doctor
• Health Insurance Company
• National Alliance on Mental Illness
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1800-273-8255
• 911
• University’s Employee Assistance Plan: 800-450-1327

You are NOT in this fight ALONE! Have a friend or colleague struggling? Let them know you CARE!

Questions:

Students contact Health Services at healthservices@baypath.edu
Employees contact Erica Blyther at eblyther@baypath.edu