COVID-19 crisis highlighted during Mental Health Month
By Jeff Fladen, MSW

Every year, we recognize May as Mental Health Month to celebrate awareness, treatment, and hope for recovery. But this year brings a more intense focus on mental illness due to the coronavirus crisis. At NAMI Tennessee (National Alliance on Mental Illness), the state’s largest grassroots mental health organization with local affiliates across the state, we are concerned how this horrible pandemic is impacting not only individuals with mental illness but all of us.

	Jeff Fladen, Executive Director of NAMI Tennessee - Alisa LaPolt, NAMI Policy & Advocacy Director

Every day, we hear about the numbers of people who have become sick or died from COVID-19. We also hear about the economic impact the caused by quarantines and stay-at-home orders. Fears about economic security, health, even mortality create feelings of anxiety and depression for people. Isolation and lack of contact with the outside world can worsen those feelings. Now, we’re seeing news stories that predict more deaths from suicide than from COVID-19. Already, suicide is the second-leading cause of death for teens in our state.

In a typical year, one in five individuals are impacted by mental illness ranging from mild depression and PTSD to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. They are your friends, family members and coworkers. People living with mental health and substance use disorders can recover however, severe cases require more intense treatment.

Mental illness is already among the top reasons for worker disability in our country. The long-term mental health effects caused by COVID-19 could lead to even more disability claims. Add to that the thousands of Tennesseans now without jobs due to the economic slowdown or unable to retain jobs due to mental illness. They will lose health insurance and mental health coverage.

The economic impact from this pandemic brings into question the future of state-funded health and behavioral health services. Prior to the pandemic, we had a large number of Tennesseans living with a mental health condition who also lack private health care coverage. While some qualify for TennCare, others do not. State and federal dollars directly support a significant amount of mental health and substance abuse services for those who cannot afford to pay. Tennessee operates a mental health safety net for many of the most needy.

NAMI Tennessee has long advocated for making TennCare available to some 300,000 Tennesseans who do not currently qualify. We are one of 14 states that has not made Medicaid available to these individuals. Meanwhile, we are mindful that our state legislators and governor are grappling with an unprecedented crisis with crippling revenue losses to our state budget.

We ask our state leaders to ensure that all Tennesseans have access to healthcare including mental health and substance use disorder treatment. Without it, we will undoubtedly see a rise in family crises, arrests, incarcerations, emergency psychiatric care, and deaths. We call upon our elected leaders to find solutions that enable us to maintain our health and mental health. The future of our state depends upon it.

Published May 26, 2020