COVID-19 and mental health: stay calm and act

The past few months have been filled with dark projections for mental health from the COVID 19 pandemic. These predictions have been examined in apocalyptic terms in many stories about the impending “mental health crisis.”depression “Time bomb” or “fashionable” suicide‘. Such predictions predict imminent mental health disasters Coronavirus The pandemic itself.

But is such a dystopia vision based on scientific evidence or a sensational expression of fear?

Just released Investigation Here are some preliminary answers from over 1,500 adults. In this survey, only 16% of respondents rated their mental health as “bad” or “very bad” since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis.

In other words, the overwhelming majority rate their mental health as “good,” “very good,” or “excellent,” even though they are rising. concern About the second wave and more lockdowns.

These findings are based on existing the study The socio-economic crisis shows that (intuitively) we can promote mental health. For example, the phrase “Blitz Spirit” is well known in the United Kingdom. In the semi-mythical era of World War II, the Londoners made resolutions and rebellions to resist the damage of night air raids. This “Blitz Spirit” is symbolized by the famous wartime poster “Keep Calm and Carry On”.

Some people question the reality of the “blitz spirit”, the study Indicates Mental The number of visitors actually decreased during the electric shock. In addition, a network of psychiatric clinics set up to address the potential mental health victims of blitz was closed due to a shortage of patients.

These days, large European studies Surprisingly, there was an overall reduction in depressive symptoms after the global financial crisis in 19 of the 21 countries surveyed (with the exception of Spain and Cyprus). These findings suggest that the impact of the global financial crisis was not uniformly negative, and that the end-of-life forecasts for the impending mental health crisis by COVID-19 may have been exaggerated. I will.

All these raise questions: what promotes mental health during a crisis like COVID-19? Existing research points out some surprising answers.

First, work is the source of purpose and meaning for most people, but it can also cause a significant amount of stress. The “work from home” command related to COVID-19 is Stressful Many people’s working environment, reduced commuting times, quality time with close family members, all related to positive mental health.

Secondly, the study Shows that people tend to reduce unhealthy habits such as: smoking, Junk food during the socio-economic crisis. Conversely, people tend to exercise outdoors and sleep well. All this can improve physical health, which is closely related to mental health.

Third, crises such as COVID-19 can create their own type of “blitz” and tie people to collective experience and common causes. Indeed, Hong Kong Investigation The SARS crisis has caused a widespread increase in social support from family and friends, Note As such, it becomes a mental health problem for the entire society.

Indeed, COVID 19 anxiety And anxiety, support and resources should be available for those in need. But the apocalyptic vision of the impending mental health crisis may be falsely alarming. For some people, the ongoing crisis causes mental health problems, especially new unemployed and financially challenged people. But for others, it may offer the opportunity to reconsider the breathing space and priorities that are highly needed.

Only time can convey the true long-term impact on society as a whole. But it may not be all destiny and pessimism.

During that time, stay calm and continue your action.