New York Faces Mental Health Crisis as COVID Restrictions Drag On

by CrownHeights.info and Monsey.info

As New York State grinds through its eighth month with COVID-19 restrictions adding unimaginable strain across the city, one segment of the population has been affected significantly worse, and it appears that they are being ignored.

“All psych ward emergency rooms in the State of New York are overloaded with patients waiting for beds,” Rabbi Moshe Feiglin of the Aliya Institute in Crown Heights wrote on social media. “There are not enough beds in the entire state to handle the tremendous mental health pandemic that is going on as result of the lockdowns.”

According to health.ny.gov, the mental health crisis isn’t just a few people. An estimated one in five New Yorkers has symptoms of a mental disorder, with as many as one in ten adults and children experience mental health challenges serious enough to affect functioning in work, family and school life. In a city of 8.3 million people, that means an estimated 800,000 people are suffering from mental disorders in the five boroughs alone.

“This is no joke. The state is putting all its focus on keeping the hospital beds empty but the mental health crisis it is causing is simply immeasurable,” said Feiglin.

While outside of the “Red Zones” life appears to the average person to be normal, simple requirements such as mask use and social distancing can tip the scale for those suffering from compulsive disorders or depression.

“It’s time to step back and examine the ripple effects of lockdowns and who the true victims really are.”

Sadly, many of these people feel hopeless and unable to turn to others for help, leading to drug use and other destructive behaviors. The stark reality becomes clear when the statistics in New York City show that unintentional drug overdose deaths outnumber both homicide and motor vehicle fatalities, according to health.ny.gov.

With mental health hospitals full, prevention becomes paramount. Organizations such as Project Extreme’s Text Line can provide on-demand help for those in need. Just text LEV to 741741.

In case of an emergency, Hatzoloh of Rockland County is always there for the community.