Elizabeth C. had experienced depression before, so she was no stranger to the deep sadness she felt when an autoimmune disease forced her to take early retirement from a job she loved.
Then, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and things went from bad to worse. Isolated at home with only her dogs as company, she had a hard time even getting out of bed.
Elizabeth began having video visits with her therapist and connected to telehealth support groups for people with depression and anxiety.
She also downloaded a meditation and sleep app called Calm, available to Kaiser Permanente members at no cost.
“This app has been a real gift to me,” she said. “I do the daily Calm meditation every morning, and I fall asleep to a sleep story every night. It’s gotten to the point where, when I open the app, my dogs know to come into the bedroom and lie down with me.”
Elizabeth’s not alone. In a recent survey of more than 2,000 Americans, 3 out of 4 people said that over the course of the pandemic they had increased their use of digital tools that support their mental health. The research was conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Kaiser Permanente.
The most popular digital tools were self-care videos and channels on streaming services, online programs that support activities such as doing yoga or drawing, and meditation and mental health apps.
The survey found that nearly 50% of respondents who practiced mental health self-care were seeking ways to cope with mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, and anger. Forty percent named financial worries as the cause of their distress, and 39% mentioned health concerns.
Other concerns that respondents hoped to address through self-care included difficulties with family and friends (37%), loneliness and social challenges (35%), problems with intimate relationships (33%), concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic (33%) and other current events (29%), and worries about work and school (26%).
“The events of the past several years have clearly taken a toll on our emotional well-being,” said psychiatrist Don Mordecai, MD, Kaiser Permanente’s national leader for mental health and wellness. “Mental health self-care tools can help boost resilience and offer relief for people experiencing emotional distress.”
At Kaiser Permanente, we offer a range of tools and resources that help you support your mental health.
“Self-care tools are not meant to take the place of care from a skilled mental health clinician,” Dr. Mordecai stressed. “But evidence-based tools can complement that care and support overall emotional well-being. That’s especially true when the app has been vetted and recommended by a trusted health care provider.”
Shannon Parkin survived 7 suicide attempts. She shares her story of hope …
Our investment in the Watts neighborhood of California, in partnership …
The Kaiser Permanente Colorado Health Action Summit gathered nonprofits, …
A Kaiser Permanente doctor shares key details. By learning more about autism, …
Funding from Kaiser Permanente in Washington helps to promote mental health, …
Behavioral health consultants can provide a better understanding of often …
Feeling emotional or overwhelmed after a new baby’s arrival? You’re not …
After a lifetime of feeling isolated, Moth Wygal finds connection thanks …
Naomi Girma, a sports ambassador for Kaiser Permanente, is passionate about …
One in 5 people experience depression, anxiety, or other mental health …
Gabriel Abarca had no hope for his future. Then the team at Kaiser Permanente …
The Kaiser Permanente Watts Counseling and Learning Center started as a …
Kaiser Permanente supports the ballot measure to expand and improve mental …
You have only one heart. ‘Prescribe’ yourself a few changes to help protect …
Kaiser Permanente opens medical offices and a new home for the Watts Counselin …
Supporting behavioral and mental health in communities where needs are …
Grateful for compassionate and successful Hodgkin lymphoma treatment at …
Better public policies can help address the challenges. We encourage policymak …
There aren’t enough mental health professionals in the U.S. to meet the …
We offer housing-related legal help to prevent evictions and remove barriers …
Pavan Somusetty, MD, explains how people who need support and guidance …
Six steps help you prep for winter trips.
A child and adolescent psychiatrist shares tips on supporting your child …
Kaiser Permanente’s partnership with Fontana Unified School District brings …
Use biofeedback to help manage stress.
Former Major League Baseball player Drew Robinson shares his story of hope …
San Diego Wave Fútbol Club star defender Naomi Girma, Kaiser Permanente …
Our clinicians help patients get the care they need to move forward with …
Organizations that provide public mental health crisis services must work …
Kaiser Permanente increases access to mental health services in Southern …
Expanding access to high-quality mental health services
These tips from Don Mordecai, MD, Kaiser Permanente’s national mental health …
Learn how lifestyle medicine is part of cancer care at Kaiser Permanente.
Many people with cancer experience depression and anxiety. Mental health …
Unique challenges and societal pressures can impact men’s emotional well-being …
Kaiser Permanente and the San Diego Wave Fútbol Club host a second Wave …
Kaiser Permanente is here to help with care and valuable tools to support …
Take time to adjust to a new baby and lifestyle changes — and reach out …
Shared experience helps young people in Oregon build confidence for their …
Creating a healthy relationship with social media can help safeguard the …
A Kaiser Permanente member shares his personal journey of navigating bipolar …
Changing my career and becoming a therapist revealed ways our country can …
Susan Sandhu struggled to find meaning in her life after an injury forced …
Trauma-informed outreach efforts in Orange County are being recognized …
Expanded access to high-quality, affordable mental health care supports …
Child psychiatrist defines anxiety, its symptoms, how to address it, and …
Kaiser Permanente’s partnership with Special Olympics Southern California …
Treatment for bipolar disorder and opiate addiction helps a Kaiser Permanente …
Southern California psychiatrist offers practical advice for parents to …
Kaiser Permanente in Southern California partners with San Diego Wave Fútbol …
Kaiser Permanente provides members with convenient ways to improve their …
A sleep expert shares 4 practical tips for coping with the time shift and …
Project Nurture in Portland, Oregon, provides treatment and a path forward …
Expert shares 5 valuable tips for parents and guardians to help children …
Valerie Dionne wins our 2023 George Halvorson Community Health Leadership …
Kaiser Permanente invests $3.3 million to build healthy social connections …
A Kaiser Permanente psychiatrist shares advice for coping when stress won't …
Why paint yourself into a corner with a resolution you’re half-hearted …
Find addiction and recovery information, assessments, and ways to get support …
A behavioral health consultant in Portland, Oregon, shares how mindfulness …
To meaningfully improve health equity, we must shift our focus to outcomes …
Support, talk about, and advocate for kids’ mental health. Otherwise, greater …
When someone you care about is struggling, it can be hard to know what …
A sports medicine physician and mental health therapist discuss the mind-body …
By reaching out early and providing care that’s personalized to parents’ …
A Kaiser Permanente radiation oncologist shares how giving patients a voice …
In a new documentary, more than 20 young people share their stories: how …
An innovative telehealth program gives patients direct access to pharmacists …
Kaiser Permanente’s new Center for Gun Violence Research and Education …
He needed help coping with back pain while ending his reliance on opioids. …
A Kaiser Permanente physician shares new research and advice for the leading …
We must do more to prevent gun violence and educate on its health implications …
Las conversaciones honestas ayudan a que los jóvenes se sientan seguros …
Trusted conversations help youth feel safe when community violence occurs.
A community program dedicated to helping schools and districts meet the …
Newly released results show the Presence of Mind initiative can be an effectiv …
As overdose deaths skyrocket, an addiction medicine specialist explains …
We applaud President Biden and Congress as they begin to set policies that …
Assessment helps parents and caregivers intervene early when kids are at …
Two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, a Kaiser Permanente pediatrician …
Stuck at home during the pandemic, a Kaiser Permanente member with autoimmune …
A good night’s rest provides mental and physical benefits. Take advantage …
Don Mordecai, MD, Kaiser Permanente’s national leader for mental health …
Helping people strengthen connections, maintain healthy routines, and find …