HEALTH
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s the war in Ukraine rages on, some Michiganders face growing anxiety and concern. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, just weeks after a recent Omicron surge saw COVID-19 numbers jump dramatically, the double whammy leaves many feeling like the world is experiencing one major crisis after another. Dr. Melanie Schwartz, licensed psychologist and owner of West Bloomfield- and Commerce-based Viewpoint Psychology, says these world events are having a mental health impact on local residents. “It’s like people can’t handle one more thing,” she said. With devastating news unfolding day after day about the worsening conflict in Ukraine, Schwartz says some Michiganders, who are still dealing with the mental health impact of COVID-19, now have a second challenge to deal with. The American Psychiatric Association, or APA, recently issued a statement stating, “The war in Ukraine will have adverse mental health effects on individuals and communities around the world.” The APA advises mental health support to “mitigate the distress and the treatment of mental health conditions that may arise as a result of the crisis.” In addition to traditional news sources, social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram offer people a first-hand and often different look at destruction throughout Ukraine and the growing refugee crisis at the Ukraine border through photos, videos and live stories. CONCERNS ABOUT FUTURE IMPACTS OF THE WAR Witnessing these events, Schwartz says, can be difficult for many, especially in Metro Detroit where there is a large UkrainianAmerican population of more than 46,000 individuals. Many in the area have family in Ukraine or know of people who do. “I’m seeing increased anxiety related to what’s going on,” she says, “because people are thinking about the future and how it’s going to impact us going forward.” Witnessing the war through news footage and stories, Schwartz continues, can be “very anxiety-provoking and devastating.”
Feeling Helpless After healing from COVID-19 trauma, Ukraine crisis causes new mental health concerns. ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER
This anxiety can present itself through “There’s a time and a place to talk about avoidance, a form of anxiety, or direct anx- it,” she says of the crisis, “but it can’t be the iety by worrying and focusing on the crisis thing that rules your life because that’s not in Ukraine. healthy.” COVID-19 created a sense of helplessFinding that balance may help people ness for many, Schwartz says. It’s a wound reduce stress and anxiety. It’s healthy to that recently started to heal as COVID-19 share your feelings, Schwartz explains, case numbers finally began to drop, but but the key is to be mindful of how often the Ukraine crisis is reopening that wound you’re consuming news or talking about for many, once again causing people to feel the war. helpless. “To have the TV on 24/7 and watching “People were starting to feel like they it play out, that’s not healthy,” she says. had more control,” Schwartz “There has to be a sense of says. “Then now this. It goes backing away from it, focusing right back to that helpless on yourself and what you do feeling.” have control over in your life. Sometimes, Schwartz “Watching trauma play out explains, feelings of helplessall day long is going to trauness can lead to depression, matize you,” she advises. “It’s which her practice saw a lot going to increase anxiety.” of during the COVID-19 It’s OK to modify news pandemic. While she’s not consumption, Schwartz says, currently seeing depression in whatever manner best suits as a result of the Russiayour life. Some people avoid Dr. Melanie Schwartz Ukraine war, she believes it watching TV or going on could become a concern if social media altogether to help the war continues. “I’m seeing just anxireduce their anxiety, while others make ety now,” she says, “a sense of impending a conscious decision to remain on social doom of what’s next and what’s going to media, choosing to scroll past news stories happen.” or posts that may be triggering. “It’s hard to take a break,” Schwartz PRACTICING SELF-CARE admits. Right now, Schwartz says practicing self“If you don’t want to give up social care is crucial to managing feelings of anxi- media, that’s fine. You don’t have to focus ety during this unprecedented situation. on certain stories.” APRIL 7 • 2022
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