Fear and anxiety have set in for a lot of us due to the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Just not having a sense of purpose,” said Maura Wahl.

Wahl served our country in the Army for eight years, with a tour in Afghanistan in 2012. She said that's when her mental illness first began.

When COVID-19 emerged, the progress she had made in her struggle with PTSD stopped.

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“It put me back into a deep depression and all of those old feelings started to come back into my life,” Wahl said.

To make matters worse, she lost her job, making both her anxiety and depression unbearable.

She said she was at her lowest when she didn't want to leave her house or see the people who matter the most.

That's when Wahl made the decision to get help, and she's not alone.

“We’ve seen an uptick in people dealing with things that they wouldn’t normally have to deal with,” said Transformations clinical director Jonathan Nielsen.

Nielsen said the pandemic has heightened just how important mental health is.

“They’re losing their purpose and with that loss of purpose whether it’s work related, relationship, family etc. That’s what we’re really trying to do is to help them to restore the courage and confidence,” Nielsen said.

Wahl is feeling better and getting stronger every day.

She recently finished her treatment course but continues with boxing and the exercise program.

She said she still can't believe she made it this far.

“If would not have waited I would have had so many months, so many years back in my life that were taken away by not acknowledging or not wanting to have that stigma of having a mental illness,” Wahl said.

Mental Health Resources

If you, someone in your family or someone you know is affected by mental illness, there are many supports, services, and treatment options available. Here’s a list of just some in our area:

• National Alliance on Mental Illness: Keystone Pennsylvania
• Allegheny County Mental Health Services
• Mercy Behavioral Health
• UPMC Behavioral and Mental Health Services
• University of Pittsburgh Mental Health Services
• AHN Mental and Behavioral Health Care Services

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