How the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic Could Cause a Global Mental Health Crisis

The Novel Coronavirus pandemic has forced us all to live our lives indoors. While this shift in our lifestyles must have affected us, others still have had to deal with more traumatic events such as deaths in their families or losing their livelihoods due to this sudden change in the way we lead our lives. The COVID-19 pandemic has not only worsened existing mental health illnesses in people, but researchers fear that it could worsen the global mental health crisis. Regular people with no pre-existing mental health concerns are now at risk of developing mental illnesses brought about by the stress and anxiety of living in conditions they couldn’t have foreseen.

The UN Was Cognizant of This

The UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres had put the spotlight on the frontline workers, adolescents, seniors, youngsters, other health workers, and people with pre-existing mental health conditions as the most vulnerable sections of the population to be impacted by the mental constraints of the pandemic.

Guterres had acknowledged how difficult the new limitations on mobility, loss of jobs, grief at the loss of loved ones, uncertainty for the future, and the complicated family dynamics could add to the physiological suffering of the people, besides the natural concerns they might have about their physical health. The UN Secretary General had advised the governments of different nations to also provide adequate mental health services alongside medical treatment of those affected by the virus.

People are Taking to Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms

Individuals who were successfully coping with the adversities in their life and with their past trauma are beginning to lose their resilience in the face of the mental duress that the Coronavirus pandemic is putting upon them. Nobody can quite predict how the post-COVID world will look like, and this uncertainty is taking a toll on the global population. Research conducted has found that people are increasingly opting for addictive coping strategies. Online gaming, alcohol consumption, drug usage, and smoking have all witnessed a spike.

For instance, a study has found Canadians between the age of 15 – 49 have increased their alcohol intake during the novel Coronavirus pandemic.

We Are in This Together

It is not possible to counter this looming mental health crisis worldwide if we do not step forward societally. It is not only the fear of becoming infected by the virus, but also the impact of a sudden lockdown on regular movement and activity that has impaired our mental health.

In order to combat the ill effects of the Novel Coronavirus pandemic on our mental health globally, we must acknowledge first that the effects that this pandemic will leave on our minds are very real. In addition, this is no longer a concern for scattered groups of people in different parts of the world. We will all be subject to some or other mental health impairment as a result of this COVID-19 pandemic.

Industries worldwide have taken a hit and ushered in a global recession in the economy due to the spread of coronavirus infection. When you combine all of this, it is no wonder that we might have a worldwide mental health crisis on our hands.

Phoenix Family Medical Clinic can help you treat your anxiety and depression. If you feel like you are finding it difficult to lead your life as you would have in the pre-COVID time, we suggest you make an appointment with us or walk in to our clinic. We will help you deal with any mental health stresses that you might find yourself encountering and aid you in rising above them.

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