ISSN: 2456-8090 (online)

DOI: 10.26440/IHRJ/0609.12577

 

Impact of Covid-19 on Mental Health

 

MANJINDER KAUR1, NAVDEEP KAUR GREWAL*1

 

Cite this article as: Kaur M, Grewal NK. Impact of Covid-19 on Mental Health. Int Healthc Res J. 2022;6(9):RV1-RV3. https://doi.org/10.26440/IHRJ/0609.12577

 

Author Affiliations:

  1. BDS lecturer, Luxmi Bai Dental College, Patiala

Contact Corresponding Author at: bunnygrewal100[at]gmail[dot]com

 

ABSTRACT

A pandemic affects people and society and creates disruption, anxiety, tension, embarrassment, and xenophobia. Provincial lockdowns were necessary due to the SARS CoV2's rapid human-to-human transmission to stop the disease's further spread. However, it is undeniable that the restrictive restrictions have had an impact on people's social and emotional wellness in all circumstances. Children may experience stress, difficulty, social disengagement, and an unfavourable environment that may have short- or long-term effects on their mental health. Specialists, medical professionals, and paramedics working as a front-line force to combat the COVID-19 incident may be more susceptible to nurture psychological health indications. Knowing how the COVID-19 episode affected various populations' emotional health is almost as important as knowing its clinical highlights, transmission scenarios, and executives. Public awareness campaigns that concentrate on the maintenance of psychological wellbeing in the larger context are urgently needed.

 

KEYWORDS: COVID-19, Children, Doctors, Impact, Mental Health

 

INTRODUCTION

A pandemic affects people and society and creates disruption, anxiety, tension, embarrassment, and xenophobia. It is not just a clinical marvel. The severity, spread, and delayed impacts of a pandemic are all directly influenced by an individual's behaviour as a member of society or a local community.1 Provincial lockdowns were necessary due to the SARS CoV2's rapid human-to-human transmission to stop the disease's further spread. Confinement, social exclusion, and the closure of educational institutions, workplaces, and entertainment venues encouraged people to stay in their homes in order to break the chain of transmission.2 However, it is undeniable that the restrictive restrictions have had an impact on people's social and emotional wellness in all circumstances.3 

In light of the fact that a rising number of people are being forced to isolate themselves at home in order to stop the spread of the microbe at the cultural level, governments should implement the necessary policies to encourage emotional wellbeing, as advised by experts. Professor Tiago Correia was quoted in his piece as saying that the health systems as a whole are coming together only to combat the COVID-19 event, which can undoubtedly affect the treatment of other illnesses, including emotional wellness, which typically worsens during the pandemic.4 The mental health of a person who contributes to the wellbeing of the community varies from person to person and is based on his experience, expertise, and social standing.5

Self-isolation and isolation from others can almost certainly have a negative impact on one's emotional health. According to a poll published in The Lancet, isolation from friends and family, missed opportunities, exhaustion, and vulnerability can all lead to a decline in a person's emotional well-being. [6] Actions at the individual and cultural levels are needed to overcome this. In light of the current global situation, both children and adults are experiencing a range of emotions. They might be placed in an unfamiliar situation or environment that could be harmful to their health.7 

CHILDREN

Children who are homebound and away from their school, friends, and partners may have many questions about the incident and turn to their parents or guardians for guidance. Not all children and parents respond to pressure in the same way. Children may experience stress, difficulty, social disengagement, and an unfavourable environment that may have short- or long-term effects on their mental health.8

Expects parents to attempt to be calm, handle the situation deftly, and respond to all of the child's questions as well as possible in order to counteract bad behaviours. Guardians can make an attempt to talk with their children about the COVID 19 occurrence and provide them with some certain facts, numbers, and information. Guardians can encourage children to engage in healthy activities like indoor games and certain physical and mental exercises while reassuring them that they are safe at home. Parents and guardians can help their children remain on top of their tests by establishing a home schedule. Guardians should exhibit less strain or unease at home because children pick up on and sense their parents' negative energy. Participating in healthy activities with children can help parents reduce stress and anxiety and improve the situation overall.9 

DOCTORS

Specialists, medical professionals, and paramedics working as a front-line force to combat the COVID-19 incident may be more susceptible to nurture psychological health indications. Fear of contracting an illness, long hours, lack of defensive equipment and supplies, patient burden, difficulty accessing the effective COVID-19 drug, deaths of their colleagues after using COVID-19, social segregation and isolation from their loved ones, and the critical conditions of their patients may seriously harm the emotional wellbeing of healthcare workers. As the pandemic spreads, the functioning output of health specialists could gradually decline. Health workers should take small pauses in between working hours and handle the situation calmly and casually.5 

ELDERLY POPULATION

Older people are more likely to experience a COVID-19 flare-up for both clinical and social reasons, such as having a more delicate immune system or another basic medical condition, as well as being more likely to be isolated from their loved ones due to busy schedules. According to medical experts, whether or not they are healthy, people who are 60 years of age or older are guaranteed to contract the SARS-CoV2, which can result in a serious and life-threatening condition.10

The emotional health of the elderly and disabled can be severely harmed by physical separation caused by a COVID-19 flare-up. The elderly and disabled person is at real risk for psychological health when there is actual estrangement among family members. It may lead to conflict, difficulties, and a terrible situation for them. Older people depend on younger generations for their daily requirements, and isolation can seriously damage a family structure. Nursing home residents who are elderly and disabled may experience shocking emotional health problems. Nevertheless, even something as simple as a call during the pandemic episode might help support elderly people. When COVID-19 is administered to elderly people who have previously struggled with emotional health concerns, it can also lead to increased pressure, tension, and pessimism. People who have recently been released from isolation can frequently experience vilification and cultivate a variety of emotions. When people come out of isolation, they may feel differently and receive a different welcoming from society. Due to the extraordinary viral nature, those who have recently recovered may need to exercise social seclusion from their family, friends, and other close relationships. Different age groups respond to this social behaviour in unanticipated ways, which can have both immediate and long-term effects.

Health workers working to save lives and protect society may also experience social exclusion, changes in family members' behaviour, and demonization due to their association with the COVID-19 virus. In spite of the fact that they have been determined not to be contagious, previously contaminated individuals and health professionals (managing the pandemic) may cause unfounded sentiments of fear that a person would contract the sickness from coming into touch with them. To avoid the COVID-19 pandemic, however, the current situation need a clear understanding of how the latest flare-up has affected people's emotional wellbeing across a range of age groups. 

CONCLUSION

Knowing how the COVID-19 episode affected various populations' emotional health is almost as important as knowing its clinical highlights, transmission scenarios, and executives. Following a schedule/everyday practise, participating in various healthy activities and sports exercises, spending time with family members, especially children and older people, and taking a break from traditional and online media are all things that can help with overcoming emotional wellness issues. Public awareness campaigns that concentrate on the maintenance of psychological wellbeing in the larger context are urgently needed. 

REFERENCES

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© Manjinder Kaur et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License CC-BY-NC 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the use is not commercial and the original author(s) and source are cited.

Submitted on: 04-Sep-2022;  Accepted on: 22-Dec-2022