Infectious disease outbreaks such as COVID-19, as well as other public health events, can cause emotional distress and anxiety. Feeling anxious, confused, overwhelmed or powerless is common during an infectious disease outbreak, especially in the face of a virus with which the general public may be unfamiliar.
Because of these factors, Family & Children’s Services expand its COPES Crisis Hotline capabilities on March 28 to include emotional support for depression/anxiety, suicide and psychosis. Nearly 30% percent of the calls received by the COPES COVID Emotional Support Line is directly related to COVID-19. Counselors also provide callers with help and resources.
Additional factors such as unemployment, marital problems, working from home, and parenting children at home have led to an increase in anxiety and depression, which has proven to F&CS that having the support line is essential to the caller’s mental health.
