Many are asking when this pandemic will really end, when we'll get back to normal, and what would “normal” even look like in a post-pandemic world. No one has answers to those questions, and for many, that uncertainty can take a toll on our mental health, which has already taken hits from the onset of the pandemic. The 21st was joined by a psychiatric professor to talk about ways the pandemic has been affecting our mental health and what we can do about it. 

As COVID-19 restrictions ease, many are both eagerly anticipating and some are dreading a return to pre-pandemic activities. Two psychologists explained how we might cope with that anxiety.

In rural areas, access to mental health services can be limited, sometimes even more so for teens and children. And the need for these services is growing, so one Midwestern school is using technology to help bridge this gap.

Rural America has high rates of chronic disease – the more remote a community, the more heart disease, cancer and diabetes. And there are side effects many people don’t think about: depression, anxiety, even suicide.

Losing a loved one to gun violence can cause anxiety, stress and other mental health symptoms; and simply living in an environment where violence is taking place can do the same. But experts say early intervention and support can help prevent some of those negative, long-term consequences. A new effort in east-central Illinois aims to provide near-immediate support to individuals who may be struggling.