Mental health concerns and treatment usually take a backseat when the limited resources are geared for pandemic containment. History suggests that any infectious disease outbreak or pandemic brings with itself a major setback in the mental health issues have been reported from all over the world.
Pandemic has caused everyone disturbance. This has been a worldly issue that no one can prevent or stop from spreading. Covid 19 is a very contagious disease that transmits speedily through saliva or any kinds of body fluids. Many had suffered from this kind of virus and many have been worrying everyday too. This pandemic has caused each one of us anxieties and other mental disorders. We are preoccupied to always keep ourselves healthy and away from this virus, in which we have come to the point that we became too selfish while the others left empty handed and have nothing to do about it.
The factors that I have suspected and listed in my studies are based on the psychological and social aspects causing mental health illness. Psychologically, regarding older people and also those with underlying health conditions, having been identified as more vulnerable to Covid 19, and to be told that are very vulnerable, can be extremely frightening and very fear-inducing. These impacts for these populations can include anxiety and feeling stressed or angry. It impacts can be particularly difficult for older people who may be experiencing cognitive decline or dementia. And some older people may already be socially isolated and experiencing loneliness which can worsen mental health.
On the other hand, we all have attitude and judgments that affects how we think about and behave towards others. Discrimination and fear of social isolation due to social distancing worsened by the effects of strict rules of lockdown could add to the cause of their vulnerability. The resulting emotional responses, leading to triggering, relapse or worsening of pre-existing mental health conditions could be another result of the effects of the Covid 19 Pandemic. Wandering mentally ill people are at major risk of contracting illness secondary to compromised immune status. Relapse and exacerbation of severe mental health conditions secondary to lockdown and unavailability of psychotropic in rural pharmacies can also pose a hurdle to the health care system.
The mental health issues of sufferers of an epidemic frontline health workers and the social and psychological impact on society at large show notable result of prejudice and discrimination among us all. However, the scale and impact of Covid 19, the duration and the uncertainty of future progress has led to an intensity of effects. At the same time, the impact on the human race is interdependent and connected through its various communities institutions and global infrastructure.
While the health system struggles to save millions of lives daily, there is probably a risk of a looming Pandemic of hidden mental health issues which has a huge potential of shattering the existing mental health infrastructure. To handle the aftermath of the Covid 19 pandemic, the mental health of the people needs to bee handled hand in hand and given equal importance along with other strategies to manage and control the disease and the pandemic at large. There is definite need for specialized psychological intervention and proper and consistent risk communication and crisis communication. An updated, timely, uncomplicated guidelines should be put forth in order to avoid confusion and anxiety among the people. Hence, keeping a positive approach, Effective communication strategies and understanding the problem statements will help in dealing with the mental health issues faced by the world in the hour of crisis.
In the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, global prevalence of anxiety and depression increased by a massive 25%, according to a scientific brief released by the World Health Organization (WHO) today. The brief also highlights who has been most affected and summarizes the effect of the pandemic on the availability of mental health services and how this has changed during the pandemic.
Concerns about potential increases in mental health conditions had already prompted 90% of countries surveyed to include mental health and psychosocial support in their COVID-19 response plans, but major gaps and concerns remain.
“The information we have now about the impact of COVID-19 on the world’s mental health is just the tip of the iceberg,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “This is a wake-up call to all countries to pay more attention to mental health and do a better job of supporting their populations’ mental health.”
– Muhammed Zuliyat Oyiza
Mass Communication Department,
Prince Abubakar Audu University Anyigba, Kogi State.
