HAMPTON ROADS, Va. – Is COVID-19 impacting your mental health? Experts say there are more than 200 forms of mental illnesses and the current conditions could be causing more people stress.
News 3 looks at how mental illness and COVID-19 are causing more people to ask themselves, “Am I Okay?”
Nearly one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness which in 2019 was about 51.5 million, according to federal officials.
News 3 shares the story of Marquita Leary who said she suffered from a nervous breakdown when she was a young woman. She openly talks about her mental illness and how she has over come it.
“I just feel like people don’t understand mental illness as much as they understand cancer, diabetes, or anything like that. We’re real people. We are honestly, real people and we have a voice,” said Leary.
“I think a lot of people are definitely asking themselves, ‘Am I okay?’,” said Dr. Sarah Williams, the Covenant Way Clinical Counseling C.E.O., “It’s actually the new normal not be okay.”
Dr. Williams is a licensed psychotherapist and said she’s seen an influx of people in need of help during the pandemic.
Experts say if you are you having outbursts, trouble handling your emotions or difficulties in your personal relationships then you may need help.
News 3 looks more into mental health issues and will provide vital information Monday on News 3 at 6 p.m.
