How to stay mentally healthy during COVID

SARS-CoV-2, the virus which causes coronavirus disease (COVID-19), was first identified during an outbreak of respiratory illness cases in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, in 2019. It was initially reported to the World Health Organization (WHO), on December 31st 2019, and one month later, the WHO first declared the Covid-19 outbreak a global health emergency, then a global pandemic, on 11th March 2020.

Who would have thought that more than one year later we would still be actively experiencing the impact of this dreadful disease that has affected lives and livelihoods worldwide? Most people survive the infection, but unfortunately some don’t. Out of those who survive, some develop post-Covid disease, which is the persistence of symptoms for more than four weeks.

Generally, we tend to ignore the effect that this disease has had, and continues to have, on the mental health of people globally, including St. Lucia. It has been said that the real pandemic is the impact of coronavirus disease on mental health, as it represents a source of psychological trauma for far too many.

Trauma can be described as an unexpected event that causes emotional shock, threat of harm, or threat to personal integrity/safety. Persons can be exposed to the event by experiencing it themselves, witnessing it on others or learning of the event. The trauma can be acute (brief impact), prolonged and/or repeated.

The uncertainty created by Covid-19, is a source of stress for both children and adults. Coronavirus disease has had negative psychological outcomes, not just on persons directly infected, but also on their loved ones, acquaintances, and even persons with no connection to the afflicted. People are stressed and struggling to cope behind closed doors, and feel alone and isolated, as their movements are grossly restricted in order to curtail the spread of this disease. People worry about themselves, their loved ones and/or their livelihoods. Schools, homes, workplaces, and almost every sector have been affected.

Social distancing is new to many, especially young people who are often hugging each other. Social interaction is necessary for growth and development of children and youth. Smaller children, unlike adolescents, are heavily impacted as they are not able to, or generally do not, use gadgets to communicate, and their interactions with peers are mostly face to face. Adolescents and youth miss out on events like prom, college life and connections, graduation from college; events that they had been looking forward to, for practically all their life.

The negative psychological consequences of Covid-19, are similar to the common reactions to trauma exposure:

• Fear and anxiety, including panic attacks, which are brought on by specific triggers and cues. Increased physical reactions, evidenced by irritability, palpitations, impatience, freezing.

• Avoidance of people, places and situations, feelings of numbness.

• Grief. People grieve about losses, whether it is a person, property, privilege, a way of life or a job.

• Insomnia: insomnia can be isolated, or can exist in the course of a mental illness. • Unexplained anger and/or rage.

• Guilt and shame can be on many levels, without justification.

• Depression, suicidal thoughts/ behaviours.

• Sexual difficulties.

• Alcohol and drug use.

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Develops in response to prolonged or repeated exposure to trauma, in the context in which the individual has little, or no chance of escape. This can be evidenced by re-experiencing of the trauma, with symptoms like unwanted thoughts, flashbacks and nightmares. What are the symptoms and signs of depression?

• Feeling sad or down for long periods of time.

• Loss of interest in everyday activities or things one used to enjoy.

• Fatigue/loss of energy.

• Social isolation.

• Changes in appetite and/or weight.

• Changes in sleep pattern.

• Changes in physical activity.

• Loss of ability to concentrate.

• Feelings of guilt/worthlessness.

• Suicidal thoughts or behaviors.

• In children, depression may be difficult to diagnose, due to the presence of symptoms like anger, defiance, a decline in school grades, promiscuity, among others. Practical ways to cope

• Keep in touch with family and friends, especially people from your close circle. The contact does not necessarily have to be person to person.

• Use social support. Always feel free to talk about what you are going through.

• Always remember that you are not alone; everybody else is going through this.

• Follow guidelines from a credible source: WHO, CDC, MOH. Be mindful of the dissemination of misinformation.

• Don’t overburden yourself with news. Choose times to listen to it.

• Place yourself on a diet from social media.

• Self-care is very important: exercise, go for walks, healthy diet, take time to meditate/pray, good sleeping habits (6-8 hours per night).

• Be gentle on yourself.

• Don’t compare your life to that of your friends as seen on social media.

• Help others, as that can bring gratification: listen, make someone smile.

• Be kind to the people around you.

• Do not use alcohol and other drugs to cope.

• Seriously consider taking the vaccine. Explore the benefits versus the risks, then make the decision. Emergency Support Services for concerns regarding mental health:

• Suicide Prevention Helpline 203

• Go to the hospital or call emergency police number as the final step.

Dr. Naomie Jn. Baptiste is a specialist in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

This article first appeared in the April 2021 edition of the STAR Monthly Review. Be sure to get your printed copy on newsstands or view it here: https://issuu.com/starbusinessweek/docs/star_monthly_review_-_april_30_2021