11 TPC Digest T he COVID-19 pandemic has had negative effects on mental health across the world. However, given increased availability of COVID-19 vaccines and lessening of societal restrictions, mental health in later stages of the COVID-19 pandemic might be improved compared to earlier stages. Previous studies of mental health in later stages of the COVID-19 pandemic showed mixed findings with regard to changes in psychosocial symptoms over time. This may have been due to differences among studies in contextual factors such as the availability of vaccines to participants. The present study utilized data from a mental health service intervention at a university in the Southeastern United States following the return to campus after remote operations due to COVID-19. The study’s sample included individuals who had been exposed to COVID-19 and, during their contact tracing, accepted an offer to receive a mental health check-in. The study investigated whether the likelihood of having at least mild depression symptoms was different for those whose mental health check-in occurred between August–September 2021 as compared to those whose mental health check-in occurred between January–February 2022. The study also investigated whether the likelihood of having at least mild anxiety symptoms was different between the two groups. Results of the study indicated that the likelihood of having at least mild depression symptoms was higher between August–September 2021 than between January–February 2022. Likewise, the likelihood of having at least mild anxiety symptoms was higher between August–September 2021 than between January– February 2022. In light of previous studies, the present study’s findings indicate that increased rates of COVID-19 vaccination might have contributed to reduced likelihood of depression and anxiety symptoms in January–February 2022 as compared to August– September 2021. Based on a return to in-person operations having occurred at the beginning of the fall 2021 semester, mental health may have also been improved during the second time period through the gradual return to previous forms of normalcy and routines. Counselors should be aware that mental health amidst the COVID-19 pandemic may be improving, but even individuals low in depression and anxiety symptoms may still be interested in mental health outreach in response to COVID-19 exposure. Counselors should therefore work to determine the unique needs of clients who might benefit from mental health services after exposure to COVID-19. With the majority of the sample in the present study consisting of college students, college counselors should consider specific implications for their work. College counselors should be prepared to connect clients with services at a distance, including through collaboration with other professionals (such as contact tracers). College counselors should also be aware of interventions that have been shown to be useful for college student mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as interventions that promote physical activity. Future research should aim to identify specific factors associated with mental health improvements during the COVID-19 pandemic and determine how to best deliver services to clients. Wesley B. Webber, PhD, NCC, is a postdoctoral scholar at East Carolina University. W. Leigh Atherton, PhD, LCMHCS, LCAS, CCS, CRC, is an associate professor and program director at East Carolina University. Kelli S. Russell, MPH, RHEd, is a teaching assistant professor at East Carolina University. Hilary J. Flint, NCC, LCMHCA, is a clinical counselor at C&C Betterworks. Stephen J. Leierer, PhD, is a research associate at the Florida State University Career Center. Correspondence may be addressed to Wesley B. Webber, Department of Addictions and Rehabilitation Studies, Mail Stop 677, East Carolina University, 1000 East 5th Street, Greenville, NC 27858-4353, webberw21@ecu.edu. Wesley B. Webber, W. Leigh Atherton, Kelli S. Russell, Hilary J. Flint, Stephen J. Leierer Time Period Predicts Severity of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms Among Individuals Exposed to COVID-19: Findings From a Southeastern University 11
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