Mental health challenges during the pandemic

Dr Suantak Demkhosei Vaiphei *

Looking at the current condition of Manipur, the Covid-19 pandemic has had major effects on the general population. The awareness has been spread to inform about the physical effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection and its preventive measures and on how to manage the symptoms. However, the effects of pandemics on one’s mental health remain the most neglected area of care in a State like Manipur.

The fact is that the pandemic has huge negative impacts on people’s mental health and wellbeing like sleeping/eating disorders, increasing use of alcohol/substance use, worsening chronic conditions. This pandemic has caused unprecedented psychological distress (emotional suffering and mental disharmony), threatening a ‘crashing wave’ of mental health problems in our day-to-day lives.

Moreover, “The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that mental health problems could be the next pandemic after COVID-19 fades away.” It is to be noted that psychological symptoms like PTSD, OCD, Acute Stress Reaction, Major Depression, Adjustment, and Anxiety Disorders do not fully cover all the dimensions caused by this pandemic.

An increasing rate of suicidal ideation and suicide among youth and those who lost their jobs due to pandemic are another current challenge. The suicidal thoughts and other self-harming activities can also be triggered by isolation and untreated psychological problems during the lockdown period.

One latest finding stated that college and university students are visible as the most vulnerable population. They are stressed about the anticipated events, anxious about the job market and local business. For young people, school/college routines are an important coping mechanism with regard to their mental health issues.

On the other hand, the closing of schools/colleges can relapse their mental health symptoms and for some, it is like losing the anchor of their life. In a State like Manipur, the larger population still remain inaccessible to mental health services.

The four underlying reasons could be;
(1) the minimal availability of mental health workers and service provided,
(2) talking about mental health issues is still considered a stigma to many,
(3) lack of knowledge/education and proper awareness,
(4) inability to recognize the symptom and lack of trained mental health professionals in the State.

Social isolation in an abusive home can also be the source of ongoing psychological distressing symptoms among children and women. However, due to cultural beliefs, women and children are forced to accept the ongoing emotional stress, physical abuse, domestic violence as a normal part of one’s life and live on.

Society as a whole need to realize that living with mental disharmony and emotional suffering are symptoms to be treated like the other physical symptoms. The mental health issue is a consistent problem without an ideal solution, which requires proper acknowledgment and diagnosis.

The minimal availability of trained mental health professionals and the current social stigma are visible as the common barriers to people seeking mental health support in the State.

Some of the self-help tips to overcome mental health issues are:
1. Avoid or little exposers to media coverage and developed the attitude of positive thinking
2. Maintain healthy relationship and get in touch with friends and loved ones
3. Share your fear/anxiety with friends and loved ones and get adequate sleep
4. Exercise regularly and develop different relaxation techniques like meditation and so on
5. Enhance self-awareness and be able to recognize the warning signs of mental health problems (like unusual problems functioning, or dramatic changes in sleep and appetite)
6. Learn how to keep your stress levels in check (almost anything that affects your daily life) and remember that some stress can be helpful.
7. Eat a brain-healthy diet to support strong mental health and avoid fast food, alcohol/drugs, caffeine, and foods with high levels of chemical preservatives or hormones
8. Find purpose and meaning in life (engaging in work that provides meaning to yourself and others)
9. Value yourself (treat yourself with kindness and respect, and avoid self-criticism) And remember, seeking help in times of need is a sign of strength and not weakness.

It is your mental health that influences the way you think, feel, behave, and affect your inner ability to cope with the stress. When talking about healthy mental health, it is not just the absence of psychological or mental health problems, rather the ability to deal with them with positive characteristics.

There is an urgent need to understand the mental perspectives of this pandemic among the youth and children. The need of the hour is to take up possible measures to cope with the pandemic and its effective management. It is also equally important to acknowledge the mental health concerns of those with Covid-19, close contacts, healthcare professionals, and the general population.