The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major effect on our lives. Many of us are facing challenges that can be stressful, overwhelming, and cause strong emotions in adults and children. The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic recession have negatively affected many people’s mental health and created new barriers for people already suffering from mental illness. While psychological support is being provided to patients and healthcare workers, the general public’s mental health requires significant attention as well and in this regard the Psychology Department of Tetso College has started a podcast on Spotify to address various issues related to mental healthcare. To take this discussion further Priyanka Chetri has shared her own views.
MENTAL HEALTH AMIDST THE COVID PANDEMIC
Throughout the world, the public is being informed about the physical effects of coronavirus infection and steps to take to prevent exposure to the coronavirus and manage symptoms of covid-19 if it appears. However, the effects of this pandemic on one’s mental health have not been studied at length and are still not known.
Mental health is not just the absence of a mental disorder. It is defined as a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, and can work productively and fruitfully.
A pandemic is not just a medical phenomenon; it affects individuals and Society and causes disruption, Anxiety, stress, stigma and xenophobia. The behaviour of an individual as a unit of society has effects on the dynamics of a pandemic that involves the level of severity, degree of flow and other effects. Rapid human -to – human transmission of covid-19 resulted in the enforcement of lockdown to stop the further spread of the disease. Isolation, social distancing and closure of educational institutions, workplaces and entertainment venues consigned people to stay in their homes to help break the chain of transmission. However, the restrictive measures undoubtedly affected the social and mental health of individuals across the world.
As more and more people are forced to stay at home in self- isolation to prevent the flow of virus at the societal level, governments must take necessary measures to provide mental health support as prescribed by experts. The different types of mental disorder people are going through the lockdown are:
- Clinical depression: A mental health problem characterized by persistently depressed mood or loss of interest in activities, causing significant impairment in daily life.
- Anxiety disorder: A mental health disorder characterized by feelings of worries, anxiety or fear that are strong enough to interfere with one’s daily activities.
- Bipolar disorder: A disorder associated with episodes of mood swings ranging from depressive lows to manic highs.
- Dementia: A group of thinking and social symptoms that interferes with daily functioning.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): A disorder characterized by failure to recover after experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event.
- Schizophrenia: A disorder that affects a person’s ability to think, feel and behave clearly.
According to research, mental ill-health affects four different age groups- children, college students, working-age adults and older adults. Children, away from their school, friends, and colleagues, staying at home can have many questions about the outbreak and they look towards their elders to get the answer. Not all Children and parents respond to stress in the same way. Kids can experience anxiety, distress, social isolation that can have short for long term effects on their mental health.
To help offset negative behaviours, parents are required to remain calm, deal with the situation wisely and answer all the child’s questions to the best of their abilities. Parents should show less stress or anxiety at their home as children perceive and feel negative energy from their parents. Elderly people are more prone to the covid-19 outbreak due to both Clinical and social reasons such as having a weaker immune system or other underlying health conditions and distance from their families and friends due to their busy schedules. The World Health Organisation suggests that family members should regularly check on older people. Younger family members should take some time to talk to older members of the family.
Health workers trying to save lives and protect society may also experience social distancing, changes in the behaviour of family members and stigmatization for being suspected of carrying covid-19. Previously infected individuals and health professionals may develop sadness, anger or frustration because friends or loved ones may have unfounded fears of contracting the disease from contact with them, even though they have been determined not to be contagious.
However, the current situation requires a clear understanding of the effects of the outbreak on the mental health of people of different age groups to prevent and can avoid the covid-19 pandemic. Understanding the effects of the covid-19 outbreak on the mental health of various populations are as important as understanding clinical features, transmission pattern and management. Spending time with family members including children and elderly people, involvement in different healthy exercises and sports activities, following a routine and taking a break from traditional and social media can all help to overcome mental health issues.
Degree of Thought is a weekly community column initiated by Tetso College in partnership with The Morung Express. Degree of Thought will delve into the social, cultural, political and educational issues around us. The views expressed here do not reflect the opinion of the institution. Tetso College is a NAAC Accredited UGC recognised Commerce and Arts College. The editors are Dr Hewasa Lorin, Dr. Aniruddha Babar, Aienla A, Rinsit B Sareo, Meren Lemtur and Kvulo Lorin.
For feedback or comments please email: dot@tetsocollege.org