As communities and individuals across Utah, the country, and the world have been coping with the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic for well over a year now. In this time, there has also been growing worry that the impacts of both the pandemic and public health disease mitigation strategies, including stay-at-home orders and social distancing, would have negative impacts on behavioral health outcomes in Utah.
In this Lighting Round we will hear from a number of panelists discussing both the shared and unique experiences of the pandemic for various populations including individuals with serious mental illness, individuals on the autism spectrum, people involved in criminal justice, front-line workers, and family caregivers. Panelists will also discuss concrete strategies to support the behavioral and overall health of various communities.
Upon completion of this presentation, participants will be able to:
1) Trace the impact of COVID-19 on individuals in special populations and some of the common issues each have faced; and,
2) Discuss and assess for these impacts short and long-term effects and consequences, the impact of isolation and routine, ‘red flags’ for professionals to identify, and other factors specific to each; and, provide support, education, and therapeutic interventions to assist these individuals and their families.
