Parkinson’s disease is a progressive long-term brain disorder affecting nearly 1 million people in the United States, with 50% also being affected by Parkinson’s disease psychosis. While the disorder typically presents in individuals in their mid-fifties, it can also affect people in their 30s and 40s. This can manifest as both motor and non-motor symptoms. Motor symptoms are changes associated with Parkinson’s disease that affect the movement of the body, while nonmotor symptoms are not related to movement.

Nonmotor symptoms can include reduced sense of smell, sleep disturbances, depression, dementia and psychosis. Motor symptoms can include tremors or uncontrolled shaking, slowed or limited body movements, body stiffness (Most often in the upper extremities and neck), and little to no facial expressions.

The COVID-19 pandemic fundamentally altered relationships and once-reliable life, work, school and home routines. More than ever, Americans have turned to virtual mental health programs during this time.

Before the pandemic, nearly one in five U.S. adults (47 million) reported having any mental illness. One in 10 adults reported symptoms of anxiety and/or depressive disorder. However, by July 2020, several months into the pandemic lockdown, a Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Poll found that 41% of U.S. adults had reported symptoms.

With mental health care already being critical, the COVID-19 pandemic saw a surge in demand for services and pushed the need for optimal care, including effective digital solutions and virtual options for mental health care delivery into sharp focus.