The COVID pandemic has affected the mental health of untold millions of Americans and residents of other countries. And in this continuing public-health crisis, which is linked to rising suicide rates the world over, it has never been more critical to talk openly and seek professional help when warranted.

“Pay importance to your own mental health and with the people around you, look for early signs [of difficulties], talk to them and refer them for care if needed,” advises Dr. Shekhar Saxena, professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and former head of the WHO’s Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse. 

Saxena is this week's guest on "Story in the Public Square," the national public-TV and SiriusXM show that is a partnership of The Providence Journal/USA TODAY network and Salve Regina University’s Pell Center.

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