Psychology | Penn Today

patient being discharged from covid hospitalization

Web-based platforms provide supporting resources for Penn Medicine staff

As health care professionals continue to rise to the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic, Penn Medicine has worked diligently, expeditiously, and compassionately to organize resources for frontline workers.

Psychologist explains why we formed bad habits during quarantine, and tips for how to break them

Thea Gallagher of the Perelman School of Medicine was interviewed about anxiety and coping mechanisms amid the pandemic.

black lives matter protest in a full street

Police killings and Black mental health

Specialists from across the Penn community discuss the mental health impacts of Black people being subjected to videos of African Americans being killed by the police.

As movie theaters reopen, they’re tackling a role they never expected to play: psychologist

Deborah Small of the Wharton School said the primary way to make people comfortable adhering to COVID-19 safety practices is to see many others in their peer group taking the same steps. “The twist now,” she said, “is that we’re told to avoid crowds.”

In a crisis, we can learn from trauma therapy

Karen Reivich of the School of Arts & Sciences spoke about how to cultivate resilience in oneself. “There’s nothing magical about this work,” she said. “It’s hard work.”

How to soothe your ‘re-entry anxiety’ as COVID-19 lockdowns lift

Lily Brown of the Perelman School of Medicine said that people are experiencing two distinct types of re-entry anxiety as stay-at-home orders are lifted: the fear of unwittingly catching or spreading COVID-19 and general social anxiety associated with a lack of practice over the last few months.

Close-up images of three people. On the left is journalist Larry King, wearing a black shirt, a red tie and red suspenders. In the center is James Pawelski, a Penn researcher, wearing a blue blazer and blue shirt. On the right is actor Kevin Bacon, weather a blue and black button down shirt.

Talking positive psychology and COVID-19 with Larry King

In a free video series co-hosted by James Pawelski, King interviews researchers about coping during the pandemic. In a June 11 event, they’ll speak with actor Kevin Bacon about philanthropy, arts and culture’s role in well-being, and the importance of open dialogue.

Chris Satullo, Lia Howard, and Surayya Walters in class.

Cultivating robust civil dialogue during times of unrest

Through the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Paideia Program, Penn students are learning how to reflect on and engage with subjects like the coronavirus pandemic and the criminal justice system.

A third of Americans now show signs of clinical anxiety or depression, Census Bureau finds amid coronavirus pandemic

Maria A. Oquendo of the Perelman School of Medicine spoke about the pandemic’s negative effects on Americans’ mental health. “It’s understandable given what’s happening. It would be strange if you didn’t feel anxious and depressed,” she said. “This virus is not like a hurricane or earthquake or even terrorist attack. It’s not something you can see or touch, and yet the fear of it is everywhere.”

How to reduce your risk of PTSD in a post-COVID-19 world

Edna Foa of the Perelman School of Medicine recommended taking breaks to self-soothe amidst the COVID-19 crisis. “If you are obsessed with this pandemic, you need to find ways to distract yourself,” she said.

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