‘Collectively out of balance’: COVID-19 taking toll on mental as well as physical health

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Courier & Press on 12/6/2020 by Mark Wilson

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — As the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic rolls across Indiana and the nation just in time for the holiday season, experts say it’s important to pay attention to mental health as well as the physical.

“We are seeing a lot of people coming in for help,” said Janie Chappell, a nurse and Senior Business Development Coordinator at Deaconess Cross  Point.

As more people are testing positive for the novel coronavirus that causes the COVID-19 illness, Chappell said studies are showing a COVID-19 diagnosis also comes with an increased risk of mental illness.

A new study published by Oxford University has found that not only does having COVID-19 increases a person’s chance of developing a psychiatric disorder but having a pre-existing psychiatric disorder could increase the possibility of getting COVID-19.