(941) 462-4807 | 8470 Enterprise Circle, Suite 300, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202

Meg Young

My WordPress Blog

  • Meg Young
  • Home
  • Specialties
    • Therapy for First Responders
    • Therapy for Therapists, Social Workers, Counselors
    • Therapy for Medical Professionals and Veterinarians
    • Therapy for Probation, Parole, and Corrections Officers
  • Services
    • Therapy for Anxiety
    • Therapy for PTSD
    • EMDR
    • Online Therapy
    • Group Therapy
    • EMDR Certification and Independent Licensure
    • Professional and Life Coaching
  • Get Started
    • Appointment Request
    • Rates & Insurance
    • Client Portal
    • Make A Payment
    • FAQs
    • Privacy Policy
  • Resources
    • Yoga for Trauma Recovery
    • Relaxation
    • Community Events
    • Free opt-ins
  • Blog
  • Workshops
    • Compassion Fatigue and Burnout
  • Podcast
  • About
  • Contact

September 14, 2020 by Meg Young Leave a Comment

The Mental Health Impact of COVID-19 on Families

If you asked any of us a year ago what would life be like in 2020, it’s doubtful anyone would have guessed we’d be going through a global pandemic, replete with lockdowns and self-quarantining. At the beginning of the year, some families might have thought of being forced to stay home from work and school would be a fun little vacation. But as the weeks and months have passed, we’ve all learned this has been anything but fun.

But how is COVID affecting families? Well, it affects parents and kids and spouses a little differently.

How it Affects Kids

Kids haven’t enjoyed the time off nearly as much as we all initially thought. Disruption to normal routines caused many teens and adolescents to feel anxiety. Add to this being away from their friends, and many young people are also feeling depressed.

Summer vacation for many this year wasn’t as fun as normal as travel has been next to impossible for some families in certain states. Sports teams were canceled, and boredom has set in for many kids, which has led to a lot of acting out and showing mood swings.

The pandemic has also negatively impacted those youths already suffering from a mental health issue, such as those on the autism spectrum. For many of these kids, a disruption of routine combined with cancellation of speech therapy sessions has stalled their progress and caused anxiety.

With some schools opening and some only offering online classes, life is still not back to normal and many kids are simply not able to deal with this crisis any longer.

How it Affects Parents

Parents have, without question, been hit hard by the pandemic. With forced school closures, many parents have had to learn how to home school while also learn how to get used to the “new normal” of working from home.

As if that wasn’t enough, parents have also had to become mental health therapists, helping their children navigate through the fear, anxiety, and depression they are experiencing.

How it Affects Spouses

Quarantining and self-isolation have definitely impacted our familial and romantic relationships. When you are locked in a house with your family, things can become chaotic and, well, everyone gets on each other’s nerves. Now forced to live on top of one another, and enduring financial hardships, worrying about health, and educating and organizing the children—just going grocery shopping can add a layer of stress.

Those couples who may already have relationship issues under the surface may find the sudden and intense stress has brought these issues to the surface. This can be a turning point for many relationships: will this current crisis bring us closer or finally drive us apart?

 

Without question, we are all living under an intense amount of stress and it is affecting us all in different ways. If you and your family aren’t able to handle the stress any longer, it’s important that you reach out and get some help from a family counselor. Most therapists are offering telehealth services, which means you can get the benefits of therapy right over the internet.

If you’d like to explore treatment options, please reach out to me. I’d be more than happy to discuss how I may be able to help.

 

SOURCES:

  • https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/hope-resilience/202005/covid-19-mental-health-effects-children-and-adolescents
  • https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-intelligent-divorce/202004/how-covid-19-affects-marriage-and-how-adapt
  • https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/facing-trauma-together/202008/why-parents-need-time-play-during-covid-19

Filed Under: Family Therapy, General

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Meg Young



(941) 462-4807
meg@megyounglcsw.com
Fax: (941) 348-1334

8470 Enterprise Circle, Suite 300
Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202

Contact

Recent Posts

  • Nurturing Positive Relationships With Coworkers May 20, 2025
  • Mental Health Care for The Career Woman May 13, 2025
  • Setting Boundaries When Working From Home May 6, 2025

Office Hours


Tuesday: 8:00a-6:00p online only
Wednesday: 9:00a-1:30p in person; 2:30p-5:00p online only
Thursday: 8:00a-6:00p in person
Friday: 8:00a-10:00a online only; 11:00a-5:00p in person
Request an appointment
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Find My Office

Contact Information

8470 Enterprise Circle, Suite 300
Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202

(941) 462-4807
Fax: (941) 348-1334




See my Privacy Statement
Terms of Service
Good Faith Estimate

A Therapist Website by Brighter Vision | Privacy Policy

Office Space for Rent in Lakewood Ranch!
Fully Furnished • Private • Professional

Looking for a quiet, beautiful space to see clients or do your best work?

Now available! A fully furnished office for rent right off the highway on University Parkway in Lakewood Ranch – easy to access, with ample well-lit parking.

Perfect for:
– Therapists just starting out
– Wellness professionals growing their practice
– Coaches, consultants, or anyone ready to work in peace

Rent by the hour, day, or month; flexible options that grow with your goals.

Book a tour today and see if this peaceful, professional space is the right fit for your next chapter.

Contact Meg: 941-462-4807