Your Mental Health During the Pandemic

Published 09/15/2021

"Mental health" is a taboo topic for some people. With the Coronavirus SARS-Co-V-2 Delta variant becoming more prevalent, many people are depressed, anxious, scared and stressed. However, Americans are starting to travel again, see family, and attend events with larger crowds. While these are good things, some people are feeling overwhelmed and alone. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is natural to worry much more during this pandemic. The CDC lists the following activities as ways that can help manage stress:

  • Reducing exposure to news stories, which can trigger stress
  • Turning TV, computer and phone screens off for a while
  • Eating healthy, going for a walk, and getting plenty of sleep
  • Finding a new hobby or making time to do an old one
  • Connecting with others either in person or by phone
  • Connecting with community- or faith-based organizations 

Sometimes it is too hard to take the steps listed above, or you don’t have the energy to do so. If you are having trouble managing your feelings, or you're just not feeling like yourself, see your doctor or seek another approved healthcare or mental health provider and tell them how you are feeling. Don’t wait until your next Medicare Annual Wellness visit. Even if you don’t feel up to (or ready to face) getting out for a visit, many doctors today are offering telehealth visits. Some Medicare benefits you may not know of include:

  • Yearly depression screening 
  • Diagnostic psychological testing
  • Psychiatric evaluation
  • Individual and group psychotherapy 
  • Family psychotherapy
  • Biofeedback therapy
  • Hypnotherapy
  • Medication Management
  • Drug therapy
  • Drug withdrawal treatment and other substance use disorder treatments
  • Caregiver-focused behavioral health risk assessment of their own behavior and health risks, which benefits the patient
  • Cognitive Assessment and Care Planning
  • Annual Wellness Visit to develop or update a personalized prevention plan including a health risk assessment and a depression screening
  • Initial Preventive Physical Examination (IPPE) to review medical and social health history and provide preventive services education

For more information about your Medicare benefits and how they can help you get help when you’re feeling down, please call our Beneficiary Contact center at 800–833–4455, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET. You can also sign up for email updates. To do so, click Email Updates on the top toolbar on this website to start the process. 

For more information from the CDC on coping with stress related to the Coronovirus, please visit their website.


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