The pandemic has impacted lives in many ways, including people’s mental health.
Dan Stokman
Dan Stokman, director of Novare Counseling Center in St. Paul, which employs therapists who are Catholic, discussed some of the impacts during an interview to air Feb. 19 on “Practicing Catholic,” a radio program on Relevant Radio 1330 AM.
Stokman listed several statistics gathered by random sample in June 2020 by the Centers for Disease Control, including:
- Four in 10 people surveyed reported one adverse mental or behavioral health condition.
- Three in 10 reported symptoms of anxiety or depression.
- One-quarter reported symptoms of trauma and stress or related disorder due to the pandemic.
- 13% started or increased substance use to cope with stress or their emotions.
- 11% contemplated suicide in the previous 30 days; for 18- to 24-year-olds, 25% did.
From June 2019 to June 2020, people reporting anxiety disorders tripled, from 8% to 26%, and the prevalence of depressive disorders nearly quadrupled, from 6.5% to 24%.
Anecdotally, Stokman said, an increasing number of people are seeking marriage and adolescent counseling, adding that “it’s a tough time for kids and relationships.”
Patrick Conley, the show’s host, asked what might be causing stress during the pandemic. Stokman replied “isolation and uncertainty.”
To help deal with stress, Stokman said, people can develop an awareness “of where we’re at,” using emotional honesty to move toward better health or to seek help.
Stokman recommended finding healthy rhythms and coping patterns; connecting with and depending on others, including God; finding meaning and purpose, beauty and increased physical activity.
To learn more about stress and ways to alleviate it, tune in to “Practicing Catholic” 9 p.m. Feb. 19, 1 p.m. Feb. 20 or 2 p.m. Feb. 21. “Practicing Catholic” is produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.
Other guest interviews on the Feb. 19 “Practicing Catholic” show are Mary Kristjanson and Bill Brady, who discuss a Feb. 24 videoconference on youth hunger in Minnesota, and Father Charles Lachowitzer, who describes ways to prepare for Lent and the Easter season.
Listen to their interviews after they have aired:
soundcloud.com/practicingcatholic
Practicing Catholic on Spotify
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