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| Posted by Patti Mellard | |
Fear, isolation, and depression. These feelings have affected most of us during the coronavirus pandemic. Members of our community with behavioral and/or mental health illness have been especially affected by COVID-19 and the changes it has brought to their lives. Many Americans received a stimulus check and those that were laid off were eligible for additional unemployment insurance; however, those suffering from a mental health disorder struggle to receive the same benefits.  |
Many of these individuals did not receive the economic stimulus check or additional unemployment funds that most citizens received to help alleviate the hardships caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The reasons for these situations vary.
This population may not have filed their tax return, didn’t file electronically, or may be homeless with no address or bank account to receive payments. Many of them were employed in entry-level hospitality jobs. These jobs were among the first jobs to be eliminated when the pandemic hit. Many individuals in these situations were already suffering from poverty and isolation, and job loss as a result of the pandemic has exacerbated mental health issues such as loneliness, fear, food insecurity, and substance abuse.
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Tamika Sellars, Valeo Case Manager, giving Logan a disaster kit. Logan is homeless and staying at different peoples’ homes each night. He said, “Wow, thank you! I can really use that!”
Monique Newman, Valeo Case Manager, giving Jeanelle a disaster box as she discharges from The Residence which is a temporary housing facility that Valeo operates. She said, “Thank you very much. God Bless you”.
