By Elizabeth Lenart | Contributor
The Counseling Place, known for providing affordable counseling and educational services on a sliding scale across North Texas, is seeking community support during the “North Texas Giving Tuesday Now” initiative, which runs through May 5 at midnight. The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified existing mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, while also introducing new challenges related to job insecurity and isolation, thereby greatly increasing the demand for mental health services.
“The pandemic has transformed our reality. As our clinicians have noted, we are preparing for the impact that lies ahead,” said Deborah Dobbs, who has dedicated 23 years to The Counseling Place, including the last ten years as executive director.
From February to March, there was a threefold increase in referrals for suicides and assaults, along with a 30 percent rise in reported domestic violence cases.
“Our current circumstances, including confinement and limited mobility with no end in sight, are testing everyone’s coping abilities,” Dobbs emphasized. “Individuals recovering from trauma might see their progress hindered by these conditions. Consider Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs—people’s focus is on fulfilling basic needs rather than healing strategies like mindfulness and grounding. This shift has led to significant setbacks in their recovery journeys.”
“A growing number of individuals are resorting to alcohol and drug use, heightening tensions and potentially damaging relationships,” Dobbs noted. “When relationships were already strained, they can quickly escalate to violence. Our foremost concern is for victims of domestic violence, particularly since many of our services are available only via phone or video, which is not always accessible to them. We worry for their safety and anticipate a spike in demand for our services as a consequence of the COVID-19 situation.”
Dobbs is adamant that the psychological and social repercussions of COVID-19 are widespread and substantial, warranting serious consideration. “Our mental health plays a crucial role in how we cope and adapt,” she stated.
Since the onset of COVID-19, there has been an uptick in disputes among divorced parents regarding custody arrangements. Many adolescents, missing key milestones like graduations and proms, are grappling with anxiety and struggling to cope, with some even engaging in self-harm behaviors.
Particular attention is being given to the mental well-being of healthcare providers and first responders who are working in extraordinary conditions, facing the dual stress of risking exposure to the virus while protecting their families.
The Counseling Place recognizes the urgency of supporting these frontline workers, offering targeted counseling services to first responders, an initiative that grew in response to the 2019 tornadoes in the Dallas area. This led to self-care groups for those in nonprofit sectors who are on the front lines.
“After the tornadoes, Cindy Shafer, a visionary leader and executive director of The Network of Community Ministries, reached out for assistance for their dedicated staff. Subsequently, we secured a grant from the Communities Foundation to expand these vital services to other nonprofits,” Dobbs explained.
In light of COVID-19, The Counseling Place has initiated a “check-in” service designed to assist nonprofit employees, law enforcement, 911 dispatchers, and healthcare workers. This service allows individuals to sign up via text for a phone conversation to discuss their well-being and help them transition before returning home. The service is available free of charge and remains confidential.
“Supporting the helpers is paramount,” emphasized Dobbs, highlighting that additional funding will enable the expansion of this crucial service. “We must continuously innovate to aid those affected by this pandemic.”
During 2019, The Counseling Place assisted 555 new clients with individual and family counseling, supported 226 children and teenagers across the DFW area through psychoeducational groups, and provided aid to over 1,600 individuals through its victims’ assistance program. However, the demand for services continues to surpass capacity.
“The shortage of affordable mental health services in America is well-documented, and this situation existed long before the pandemic,” Dobbs added. “It is heartbreaking to turn away those who have summoned the courage to seek help, especially amidst a pervasive mental health stigma.”
As highlighted in a 2020 Pre-COVID-19 Mental Health America (MHA) annual report, which assessed various mental health metrics across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, over 45 million Americans—nearly 20%—are grappling with a mental illness; more than 10.3 million adults in the U.S. have experienced serious suicidal thoughts—a rise of approximately 450,000 from the previous year; and 57% of adults with a mental illness do not receive treatment.
A recent study conducted by Qualtrics underscores the severity of the global mental health crisis post-COVID-19. Findings reveal that 67% of respondents experienced increased stress levels since the outbreak; 57% reported escalated anxiety; 54% noted feelings of emotional exhaustion; 53% felt persistent sadness; 50% reported increased irritability; and 42% indicated a decline in their overall mental health.
“We face a challenging road ahead, expecting a significant influx of clients dealing with trauma and grief,” Dobbs remarked. “Many instances of feeling down will likely evolve into clinical depression; more individuals will face the need to grieve after suicides, and even anticipated losses will weigh heavier due to restrictions on traditional mourning practices. Through ‘North Texas Giving Tuesday Now,’ we aim to highlight this devastating, often overlooked crisis that will have extensive repercussions long after the pandemic ends.”
The Counseling Place invites support at https://www.northtexasgivingday.org/the-counseling-place before the deadline on May 5 at midnight.
For additional information, visit https://counselingplace.org/
Established in 1979 as Richardson, Texas’s first nonprofit mental health agency, The Counseling Place (The CP) is committed to enhancing emotional well-being for individuals of all ages and economic backgrounds across the Dallas area. The CP offers professional and accessible counseling services, including outpatient mental health care for individuals, couples, and families, psychoeducational community courses, and a victims’ assistance program through partnerships with the Richardson and Sachse Police Departments and other jurisdictions. The CP collaborates with various nonprofits to provide mental health support to their clients, including Heart of Autism, to assist affected families. For inquiries, call 469-283-0340 or visit https://counselingplace.org/
