The COVID-19 pandemic changed daily life, and affected many people’s mental health; those effects are still being felt five years later.

Mental health professionals saw a significant rise in the demand for services during and after the pandemic, specifically among people struggling with anxiety, depression and isolation.

“We shut things down, pushed everybody to Telehealth for a while,” said Tamera Hunter, CEO of Townhall II. “Isolation was really the big problem, the loss of a sense of control.”

Hunter explained that people ages 12 to 25 years old have difficulty with adaptability during and after lockdown. 

“I’m seeing people getting caught up in minor situations and regressing, we’ve been doing more resiliency training,” she said.

Resiliency training is meant to teach individuals how to cope with stress, manage emotions and navigate challenges in a healthy way, and involves finding strategies to understand emotions and reframe negative thoughts.

Jeremy Deloof, who was a sophomore in high school when lockdown started and is now a junior communication studies major, explained how he felt disconnected and unmotivated during the pandemic.  

“I felt like I was breaking out of my shell and making new friends, but the pandemic put a halt on that, which really set me back mentally,” he said.

Townhall II saw a 25-30% increase in therapy sessions during after and the pandemic, Hunter said. 

“If I had enough counselors to serve people, that number would’ve been higher,” she said.

One condition that spiked during the pandemic was agoraphobia, an anxiety disorder that makes people fearful of leaving their homes. The extended lockdowns and social distancing measures contributed to the condition of some individuals, making re-entry into society more difficult.

“Staying inside most days made it hard to stay motivated and even get out of bed in the morning,” Deloof said. 

Despite these challenges, Hunter believes mental health support is improving, especially for younger generations. 

“I do think it’s getting better … especially with the young adult population that are into self-care, empowerment and individuality,” she said.

Young adults are starting to see a sense of normality come back.

“I feel like my social life is back for the most part, I’ve made connections in college,” Deloof said.

Hunter stressed the importance of ongoing support and normalization of therapy. 

“Anyone can benefit from a therapist,” Hunter said. “You go to a doctor for a checkup for your health, you go to a treatment provider for a checkup on your mental health, it’s the same thing.”

The pandemic’s impact on mental health serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining connections, prioritizing self-care and seeking help when needed. 

The experience has led to a growing awareness of the need for mental health care and the power of resilience.

As mental health services continue to change post-pandemic, Hunter remains optimistic about improving lockdown setbacks. 

“I think we are moving in the right direction now, but it’s taken a lot of effort,” she said.

Sydney Craig is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].