WHY THE DIVERGING MENTAL SIDE EFFECTS OF THE PANDEMIC ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT AS THE PHYSICAL

WHY THE DIVERGING MENTAL SIDE EFFECTS OF THE PANDEMIC ARE JUST

AS IMPORTANT AS THE PHYSICAL

Regardless of existing issues, the COVID-19 It is thought to take three weeks to form a habit and pandemic has created a significant now that we have to break this habit, it is bound to deterioration in mental wellbeing across cause stress. For some, the thought of going back to the country, as shown by several studies. norma’ is a daunting task that will take months to One study shows that 56% of respondents report pandemic-related stress which led to at least one Whilst we may slowly be coming out of lockdown, negative mental health effect. This was 64% higher there is still a question mark over the next few among frontline health workers. It is also important months and this uncertainty is, ironically, one of few to recognize that within this mental health crisis, consistencies throughout the pandemic. Change there is a wide range of issues that have arisen is a common source of anxiety and because of the in response to different phases of the pandemic, unsettling nature of the pandemic, it is clear how meaning people could be experiencing opposing people could struggle with this. We can hope for a issues at the same time. vaccine or drug to reduce the physical effects but At the core of it, the pandemic has led to increased long-term and hard to treat. In the next few months, anxiety over health, both for ourselves and other, the importance of treating the mental effects will more vulnerable people around us. Firstly, some hopefully be recognised more but currently, 25% who have been hospitalised for COVID-19 have of people who tried to access NHS mental health exhibited post-ICU syndrome, a condition similar services were unable to do so. It is obvious this is a to PTSD, due to their treatment. This means a problem that still needs solving. patient’s mental health could be impacted longterm even after infection. Beyond worrying For further information or support, the charity about catching COVID-19, more people are also MIND has a range of pages related to COVID-19 and becoming worried about general infection and the various mental health issues that may have come pathogens in the environment. Manifesting into a from the pandemic. form of germophobia, it leads to constant anxiety and restlessness when, or if, they begin to leave their home. This can also escalate to when at home or meeting other people. When this is allowed to dictate someone’s life it becomes a concern, and this is something being seen more and more in recent days.

Separate from medical reasons, the governmentenforced lockdown has also contributed to several different mental health issues. A survey showed that loneliness, not being able to go outside and not being able to see family have been the most common contributors to poorer mental health during the pandemic. The imposed isolation gives little room to distract from difficult times and the resulting boredom is contributing to mental health problems. Another factor is that due to the lockdown, many people have lost their jobs or missed out on important life events. Roughly 650,000 lost their jobs during the lockdown and this is predicted to escalate to millions in the fallout. From this alone, it is clear to see how the population’s mental health has worsened. Now that we’re leaving lockdown,we are beginning to see issues of going back to normal. work towards. the resultant mental side effects will certainly be

WORDS BY GEORGIA SMITH IMAGE BY KATIE GREENHAM