CSUN On Point

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many people into isolation, raising concerns of a widespread downturn in mental health as many attempt to cope with challenges like anxiety and depression alone.

In a poll released by Kaiser Family Foundation, 47% of respondents reported intense levels of stress and anxiety while stuck at home. The poll also showed older adults and adolescents are more prone to extreme effects of isolation. Some people are trying natural solutions to manage the intense stress and anxiety that can come from long periods of being alone. Cannabis products like indacloud jedi breath may help people deal with the symptoms of mental health conditions.

Since the pandemic, The Los Angeles Suicide Prevention Network has seen a similar increase in people experiencing depression, anxiety, and isolation.

“On the flip side,” said the network’s co-chair, Tracie Andrews, “we have seen an increase in people reaching out for help, wanting to get more services, and wanting to have more conversations about why they are feeling the way they are feeling.”

Another Kaiser Family Foundation poll shows 54% percent of those losing income and jobs have suffered more mental stress.

For men the effect is even more profound, says Mark Stevens, professor of educational psychology and counseling at CSUN. Statistics have shown that men have higher suicide numbers than women.

“Men’s sense of identity and self-esteem is often related to productivity,” Stevens said, “ and so during this time, the measuring of productivity has to really change and men really have to figure out how they could feel productive during this time if their work has changed, or their out of work.”

For many, the root of their current mental health struggle is in not being able to socialize and interact with others. Many students miss walking to class and seeing their friends at school that meant a good time.

The transition to online classes has also impacted many students and faculty physically and mentally. Students at home find it hard to concentrate and stay motivated.

“I didn’t have that commuting to class or being able to walk to my classes,” said CSUN sophomore Angel Corros, “and being able to talk to my friends between my breaks; It was just structured to being at home.”

At CSUN, University Counseling Services is holding Wellness Workshops Workshops to help students gain helpful tools to manage anxiety, stress and depression.

Also, a peer education program called The Blues Project aims to build awareness and education on the cause among students. The program’s student volunteers receive extensive training in communicating causes, symptoms, and treatment. Corros is a peer educator for the project.

If you or someone you know is struggling please reach out to one of these resources.

• Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1 (800) 273-TALK (8255)
• Reach the Crisis Text Line by texting “HOME” to 741741
• Call The Trevor Project at 1 (866) 488-7386, or text “START” to 678678
• Visit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s website
• Visit the Suicide Prevention Resource Center’s website
• Call TeenLine at 1 (800) 852-8336 or text “TEEN” to 839863

This show was reported by the following team:

• Sammy Fernandes, moderator
• Samuel Novicki, producer
• Brenda Saldana, producer
• Jessica Vaughan, producer
• Serim Yeo, anchor

According to a recent survey conducted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, nearly three out of five small business owners fear the COVID-19 pandemic may force them to shut down permanently.

Back in March, Blazin’ Burgers, the Karmazyn family’s new vegan fast food restaurant, was set to open for the very first time. Then, the local public health officials declared the lock-down of most businesses due to COVID-19.

“We were on the verge of getting our permits,” said co-owner Marilyn Karmazyn, “and so that sort of came to an abrupt stop and that was probably the most challenging part of all this because we still had all of our expenses to pay.”

Blazin’ Burgers was among the many start-up businesses that had to go back to the drawing board with its financial plans, before it got the chance to open its doors.

But Karmazyn, who runs the restaurant with her daughters Kathryn and Kris, was able to open Blazin’ Burgers in July, and was able to succeed despite the turbulent economy.

Co-owner Kathryn Karmazyn says they owe their success and recovery to online delivery services such as DoorDash, Postmates, and Uber Eats.

In March, Congress created the Paycheck Protection Program, or PPP, to provide low-interest loans to help small businesses stay afloat. But surveys from both the America’s Recovery Fund Coalition as well as Save Small Businesses Coalition showed nearly half of these businesses said their PPP loan was not enough to keep them operative.

Nancy Hoffman Vanyek, president and CEO of the San Fernando Valley Chamber of Commerce, compared PPP toanother form of unemployment that ultimately small businesses use to keep their workforce on their payroll during the coronavirus crisis — particularly businesses like restaurants that are not able to open.

Small businesses are disappearing at a staggering rate, according to Hoffman Vanyek, who doubts 2021 will bring economic recovery.

Small businesses are not only vital to the economy, but they’re important parts of communities.

“We really work with our clients very closely,” said Brian Wisdom, an executive with IT firm Datalinks Networks, “and having that as a small business gives you that opportunity to build those relationships where as a larger business you are treated as a number.”

In mid-September, the San Fernando Valley Chamber met with the Department of Public Health. The chamber is maintaining a website for businesses with the latest updates and information on health orders at sfvresource.com. This website also contains information on business counseling, information on how and where to get loans and grants for your business.

In June 2019, CSUN partnered with the Warbond foundation, founded by Jane Werwand, which supports small to mid-sized business entrepreneurs. Clients involved in the program are welcomed to participate in LA’s Local Business Boost that supports all types of businesses providing individuals access to funding, mentorship and educational resources.

Professor Silvina Bamrungpong directs the Business Honors Program at California State University, Northridge. She advises anyone who aspires to start a business should first focus on developing a sound strategy, while still acquiring the finance skills.

This story was produced by the following:

• Amanda Alvarado, reporter
• Savanna Birchfield, moderator
• Casey Contreras, reporter
• Sophia Lesseos, anchor
• Kimberly Linares, reporter

The COVID 19 pandemic has forced many businesses and services to shut down in order to cooperate with social distancing and stay-at-home orders, but for some services, like the Los Angeles Public Library, the shutdowns mean even more work.

Librarians have moved books to places where people can get them even during the lockdown, like shelters. And they’ve worked with city officials to help people who relied on the library for internet access find ways to get online.

While library buildings themselves are closed, library staff have been working to upgrade and provide services online through their websites, or through different social media sites like Facebook or Instagram. Another change has been the shift to electronic book checkout. Once libraries open again, readers can also be excited about the elimination of late fees and fines.

Central Library Director Eva Mitnick said she hopes these changes will bring more people back to the library once the lockdowns are over. She says public libraries serve the community in many ways, whether it’s through access to books and the internet, or by being a hub for many other community services.

The move to online resources made the library system make some necessary changes to its website and online services. The website now is much more streamlined and user friendly, and  includes interfaces in six different languages.

Mitnick said that these changes won’t be the last ones though. Library staff and officials will be meeting throughout the pandemic and after, to make sure that the system can stay ahead of the curve once the doors open again.

Producer: Nicholas Gargiulo

Video Editors: Wiam Dahbi and Karina Gutierrez

Reporters: Wiam Dahbi, Nicholas Gargiulo, Karina Gutierrez, Ashley Hawn, Cristal Morales Rodriguez and Christian Pineda