The Texas Senate Health and Human Services Committee heard testimony on documented increases in suicides, substance abuse, and depression, related to COVID-19. The pandemic has affected every part of life, from health to isolation and job loss. The families of more than 300,000 Americans are grieving their loss.
A poll conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation earlier this year showed that 53% of adults in the United states reported that the coronavirus pandemic had negatively impacted their mental health. 36% of respondents reported difficulty sleeping, 32% indicated changes to their eating; and 12% said their alcohol or substance use had increased.
Recent studies indicate that gratitude can extend the benefits of counseling on mental health for weeks. KACU's Heather Claborn spoke with Doctor Sherry Rosenblad, the Director of the Clinical Counseling and Marriage and Family program at Hardin Simmons University, about the benefits of practicing gratitude daily.
There are many ways to incorporate gratitude into daily life. Some ideas can be found here.