Introduction
The state of mental health is crucial to one’s well-being as a whole. Two of the most common issues related to this dimension are anxiety and depression. The latter can be considered a mood condition marked by persistent experiences of sadness, despair, and lack of interest in everyday activities.
The former, in turn, is a sensation of discomfort, concern, or dread that may be distinct from moderate to severe. It should be admitted that depression and anxiety have become more widespread throughout the world in recent years. Many individuals suffer from the formulated conditions because of COVID-19, further intensifying the tendency.
The following discussion is dedicated to how the pandemic has affected people’s psyches and contributed to the considerable increase in rates of depression and anxiety. These disorders will be explored, and strategies for dealing with them will be suggested. Then, the necessity of removing the stigma associated with these problems will be emphasized, as well as the government’s and policymakers’ role in this area. The main argument is that the worldwide spread of COVID-19 has negatively impacted mental well-being, increasing the prevalence of the mentioned conditions. Policymakers and individuals may work to enhance the associated outcomes during and after the outbreak by addressing the causes of the difficulties related to the current circumstances and developing appropriate coping techniques.
The Impact of the Pandemic on Mental Health
Worldwide psychological wellness has been severely impacted by COVID-19. People’s mental health suffered as a result of the spread of doubt, dread, and worry during the pandemic. Depression and anxiety rates have risen dramatically due to such drastic circumstances, which implies serious consequences for individuals on a global scale.
A recent poll by Yao, Wang, and Liu found that 4 in 10 American individuals had experienced anxiety or depression due to the pandemic, up from 1 in 10 in 2019. Similarly, Silverio-Murillo et al. released research showing that the prevalence of depressive symptoms in the US tripled during the pandemic. Such pieces of evidence suggest that the prevalence of the disorders is a consequence of the outbreak, which imposed pressure on populations.
Such a crisis has also significantly affected facilities dedicated to mental health care. As a result of the widespread chaos caused by COVID-19, many associated institutions and clinicians have been overburdened, making it difficult for patients to get the help they need. Many individuals have also lost their employment and health insurance, making it much more challenging to afford and get the treatment needed. There is an urgent requirement for novel approaches to related therapies since this pandemic has hampered established methods, including in-person counseling sessions.
The Causes of Pandemic-Related Anxiety and Depression
At this point, it seems reasonable to stress that anxiety and depression seem to be common responses to COVID-19, and there are several cases of such a state of affairs. Isolation and loneliness are among the primary contributors to the mental health issues that might take place during the pandemic. A plethora of individuals have been compelled to stay home, taking into account the pressing situation. This, however, increased the risk of solitude and separation, especially among the elderly, lonesome, and those with pre-existing psychological problems.
Furthermore, the fear of becoming sick or even facing death is another major factor in emotional distress throughout the outbreak. Many people express concerns regarding their health and the wellness of loved ones. They are genuinely afraid of catching the virus, and the lack of reliable information explaining the issue has further heightened their anxiety.
Then, the state of the economy is also essential in intensifying the emotional instability inherent in those affected by COVID-19. People tend to concentrate on their finances due to considerable job losses, company closures, and economic uncertainty, which is founded on the pandemic’s impacts. The problems can become even more challenging to address, and feelings of hopelessness and despair might arise.
Anxiety and depression are not the only emotional responses to the depicted case. Information overload and misinformation are also essential factors that have a significant impact. Many individuals find the continual flow of reports and data regarding the epidemic distressing and overwhelming. Deception and rumors about the virus may also cause consternation and worry, which in turn can increase mental anguish.
Coping Mechanisms for Pandemic-Related Anxiety and Depression
Evidence suggests that people stressed about the COVID-19 pandemic often turned to their social networks, physical exercise, and media consumption. The findings are in line with those of a study done in the US at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, in which individuals said they took time to unwind, practiced healthy habits, and reached out to others as a means of coping with the stress and isolation brought on by the virus.
Reduced depressive and anxious symptom intensity was seen when people engaged in more physical exercise (outdoors or with online programs or videos), social interaction, and family-centered activities. Several randomized controlled studies have shown that physical exercise improves maternal mental health. Emotionally oriented coping strategies, like spending time with loved ones, have been proven to mitigate the toll that COVID-19-related stress may have on mental health.
The intensity of depressive and anxious symptoms increased in tandem with greater screen time, increased eating, and enhanced contact with healthcare professionals, indicating that these are ineffective coping mechanisms for the stress caused by COVID-19. Previous studies in adults have shown a link between screen usage and an increased risk of depression. Conversely, the correlation between more doctor visits and more severe depression and anxiety symptoms suggests that those with worsening signs are more likely to use these coping mechanisms.
The Importance of Destigmatizing Mental Health
Many people who have severe mental illness face two obstacles at once. On the one hand, they battle disease-related symptoms and impairments. On the other hand, people face difficulties due to myths and discrimination around mental health issues.
Both make it more difficult for persons with mental illness to access the resources necessary to live a whole life, including gainful employment, stable living conditions, high-quality medical treatment, and social inclusion. While studies have helped shed light on the effects of mental illness, it is only lately that researchers have started to examine the causes of the associated stigma. There is still more to be done before we get a complete picture of the extent of bias towards persons with mental illness.
Discrimination is the outward manifestation of prejudice, an internal process including one’s thoughts and feelings. Anger fueled by prejudice may manifest in acts of violence against members of marginalized groups. Anger and discrimination might cause people to refuse treatment for mental illness or switch from medical to criminal justice options.
For example, businesses may not recruit people who have mental health issues because they are afraid their employees would be a liability. On the other hand, discrimination towards oneself is the result of internalized bias. According to studies, many people don’t use their potential because they feel ashamed or fear rejection from others.
Protests, education, and interaction have been identified as the primary tactics for changing public stigma. As a defensive tactic, protests aim to reduce stigmatizing views of mental illness but do nothing to advance an evidence-based, positive alternative. A better understanding of mental disease may be gained via education. Researchers have looked at this method of stigma reduction the most. When people see that people with mental illness can be productive members of society, such as by working or being decent neighbors, the stigma associated with mental illness decreases.
The Role of Government and Policymakers in Addressing Mental Health Issues
Extant studies have investigated the psychological impacts of lockdown on individuals, revealing that factors such as earnings, sex, and status in relationships, as well as the duration of the lockdown and how they are put in place, all play a role. Researchers have also shown that the effects of lockdown vary widely from person to person. Many of these researchers have compared the results of cross-sectional surveys measuring multiple aspects of mental health. From a bird’s-eye view, though, it is clear that the authorities’ decisions to institute lockdowns significantly affected people’s psyches.
Post-lockdown estimations of depression and anxiety rise in places where the government instituted a lockdown policy. State governments have instituted varying degrees of lockdown regulations in response to the spread and transmission of COVID-19. Most lockdowns include some self-isolation or home confinement for patients and close contacts; in extreme cases, whole cities may be shut down. Although lockdowns seem to be the most efficient strategy to slow the propagation of the virus, they may cause severe psychological distress.
It is well-established that lockdowns raise unease and uncertainty and disrupt regular sleep schedules. Due to the lockdown, individuals sleep later than usual, remain in bed longer, and have restless nights. Fears regarding economic strain and significant changes in one’s daily life, such as increased social isolation, the prospect of contracting a contagious disease, the death of a loved one, or the decision to homeschool one’s children, may amplify feelings of insecurity and anxiety.
Depression and anxiety caused by the lockdowns are lessened by government financial aid. Financial insecurity is a major contributor to stress, and positive interventions that improve people’s financial situations may help reduce the harmful effects of stressful life events. Individuals’ resilience to physical and psychological hazards is diminished in a lockdown context, when interpersonal isolation and anxiety make even the prospect of an unexpected incident, such as a sickness or accident, a source of stress and worry. Thus, high-quality governmental economic assistance throughout the pandemic may help people overcome the anxious state of psychological conflict, better adjust to their surroundings, deal with stress, and ultimately become more resilient.
Conclusion
To conclude, the worldwide rise in anxiety and despair caused by the COVID-19 epidemic demonstrates the absolute need to give mental health the attention it deserves. Isolation, fear, economic hardship, and an abundance of available information all have a role in the development of anxiety and depression that are directly attributable to the epidemic. Psychological issues caused by a pandemic may be mitigated using coping strategies, including counselling, self-care routines, and social support. Destigmatizing mental health, enhancing the related policies and services, and promoting an intersectional approach are all necessary to tackle the formulated societal concerns.
Because psychological problems are likely to linger long after the global crisis ends, they must be addressed both throughout and beyond the epidemic. By giving more attention to mental health, we can improve people’s lives and strengthen communities and nations. To sum up, we advise that authorities and institutions maintain their focus on mental health funding, back education and outreach programs, and enhance mental health infrastructure to guarantee everyone has equal access to care.
Authorities and communities may take several more measures to address psychological wellness throughout and following the pandemic, in addition to those described in the passage above. One suggestion is to broaden the availability of online mental health materials. Telehealth and other forms of virtual behavioral healthcare have become more relevant in the wake of the epidemic, and institutions may use this fact to their advantage by allocating more funds to such areas.
The psychological well-being of children is another dimension that has to be addressed. Disruptions in schooling, social exclusion, and uncertainty have all contributed to higher rates of depression and anxiety among children. Support for their – as well as for adolescents’ – mental health, involving access to the associated services at school, and assistance for parents and caregivers, should be a top priority for policymakers.
Finally, organizations may prioritize studying the pandemic’s long-term psychological impacts. Research may help find practical solutions for managing the outlined difficulties expected to endure even after the crisis. Funding for studies should be prioritized to influence policy choices leading to better mental health for people and communities.
References
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- Abel Brodeur et al., “COVID-19, Lockdowns and Well-Being: Evidence from Google Trends,” Journal of Public Economics 193 (2021). Web.