If you are feeling anxious and stressed because of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, you are not alone. A new poll by the American Psychiatric Association says nearly half of all Americans, 48%, are anxious about the possibility of getting COVID-19. Four in ten Americans, 40%, are anxious about becoming seriously ill or dying, with 62% anxious about the possibility of loved ones getting COVID-19.
More than one-third of Americans (36%) say coronavirus is having a serious impact on their mental health and most (59%) feel coronavirus is having a serious impact on their day-to-day lives. Most adults are concerned that the coronavirus will have a serious negative impact on their finances (57%) and almost half are worried about running out of food, medicine, and/or supplies. Two-thirds of Americans (68%) fear that the coronavirus will have a long-lasting impact on the economy.
The surveys were collected from a nationally representative sample of 1,004 adults during the period March 18-19, 2020. The margin of error is +/- 3.1% at the 95% confidence level.
There are resources locally to help address anxiety. For basic health questions, since knowledge and facts can help, Hilo Medical Center has a health-question hotline available daily from 8 til 5 at 808-932-3000, #8.
The State also has a pandemic crisis hotline and urge anybody feeling anxiety to contact them by phone at 1-800-753-6879 or text “Aloha” or “Home” to 741741
Behavioral health Director Dr. Katherine May of West Hawaii Community Health Center in a recent interview said it is very normal for us all to be feeling anxiety over the COVID-19 pandemic. She offered techniques for managing the stress, for adults and also for adults with children or grandchildren. But she said anybody feeling more anxiety than they think they can handle, anybody seeking professional help should contact their primary care provider as a first step. For those without a primary care provider, the island’s community health centers all will treat patients regardless of ability to pay. They include:
Bay Clinic, Hilo, at 808-969-1427
Bay Clinic’s Ka’u Family Health Center, in Na’alehu, 808-929-7311
Bay Clinic’s Kea’au Family Health Center in Kea’au, 808-930-0400
Bay Clinic’s Pahoa Family Health Center in Pahoa, 808-965-9711
Hamakua-Kohala Health Center in Hamakua, 808-775-7204
Hamakua-Kohala Health Center in Kapa’au, 808-889-6236
West Hawaii Community Health Center, Kuakini Highway in Kailua-Kona, 808-326-5629
West Hawaii Community Health Center, Kealakekua, 808-323-8005
West Hawaii Community Health Center, Waikoloa, 808-769-5160
West Hawaii Community Health Center at HOPE Services, Pawai Place, 808-329-0465