Articles

The plethora of mental health distress in a COVID-19 world

The spread of COVID-19 has brought the world into uncharted waters. Almost all countries are on lockdown, the economy has ground to a halt, and many people are afraid for themselves and their loved ones. Uncertainty about the future, people being worried about their jobs, social distancing, complying with being quarantine, working from home: all of it has imposed profound changes to normal routines for people of all ages and all walks of life. With such unprecedented changes coming on so quickly, the risk of psychological stress has increased more than ever.

The constant threat of contagion, uncertainty, and changes in lifestyle has majorly twisted the psychological responses to ordinary interactions. The constant bombardment of so many stressors in the environment has resulted in heightened stress, anxiety, and immediate effects on our mental health. People who already have mental health issues find it hardest to deal with the uncertainty created by this pandemic, and even people who were relatively healthy have started developing stress-related problems. The prolonged stasis imposed by the lockdown comes with the immense human cost, the great well of loss, fear, sadness, loneliness, and grief. The quarantine, in specific, has affected people’s lives and has resulted in increased psychological impact to immediate situations, reacting in ways of irritability, fear of contracting and spreading the infection to family members, anger, confusion, frustration, loneliness, denial, anxiety, depression, insomnia, despair, to extremes of consequences, including suicide. Post-quarantine psychological effects may include significant socioeconomic distress and psychological symptoms due to financial losses. The role of unpredictability, uncertainty, the seriousness of the disease, misinformation, and social isolation in contributing to stress and mental morbidity has highlighted the need for mental health services and for mental health awareness. Covid-19, to some extent, has helped people open up about mental health. It is time to prioritize mental health, foster togetherness, and reduce prejudice and stigma. It is an opportunity at a personal as well as a collective level, for creating mental health awareness.

Mental health is a major concern worldwide. Progress in the delivery of mental health services has been slow. The stigma around mental health has led to myths and stigma around mental health. Thus, now becomes an opportune to explore the paradigm of mental health awareness as a means of acknowledgment of mental disorders, combating stigma, enhancing prevention, ensuring early recognition, and also stimulating simple and practical interventions within the community.

During these times of the ongoing pandemic where there is a need to maintain the social distance, an increase in the use of conventional media, internet, social media. and government programs are the most effective ways to promote mental health awareness. Media has been the cornerstone in the field of mental health awareness. Celebrity endorsements, evidence-based mental health information, accessibility to simply translated jargon-free content in various languages and communication forms, and mental health professionals and organizations taking initiative and partnering with the media. Encouraging recovered patients to come out with their success stories in their battle with mental health will also make good paucity. Progressive government policies and government taking initiative in creating awareness around mental health.

With the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, at the very basic level, everyone is facing an increased amount of stress and anxiety due to the uncertainty of the situation and its aftermath. Hence to cope with stress during these times, at a personal level there is a need for every to take a pause, breathe and acknowledge how they feel, and the reality of the situation. It is required that people take breaks from COVID-19 content that heightens stress level and at times misguides people. There is a need for people to maintain their lifestyles well, by taking the required amount of sleep and indulge themselves in the exercise of the mind and body and indulge in activities which make them feel lighter and happier for small periods in the day. The social distancing has led to problems of isolation and loneliness, but thanks to convenience if technology and mobile phones, that people can keep connected to each other even without being in touch physically. As social beings, it is a need for us to stay connected. Facing any emotional outbursts or any issues regarding mental health, it's suggested seeking help, firstly by coming out and sharing your worries and then seeking professional help if needed.

People have higher perceived needs to deal with their mental health difficulties. There is a need to intensify the awareness program and address the mental health issues of people during this COVID-19 pandemic. Mental health awareness can become both the means and the way of ending the apathy.