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Viktoriia Kurilenko
Introduction
It is no surprise that everybody is affected by the coronavirus pandemic. It managed to get into every sphere of our lives - starting with education and ending with politics. Obviously, the biggest risk this event is bringing to us is related to health, and, it is important to follow the officials to eliminate the risks of getting sick and passing the disease onto people who are at a higher risk. However, there might be long-term effects even on the people that were not exposed to the virus and followed the directions of staying at home. Teens and young adults are currently affected by the pandemic drastically and there are important things you need to know to keep yourself safe and not face the consequences of staying home for so long.
What are the risks?
Not going to school and not taking a part in the activities you normally would, can and will affect your mental health. Many people were continuously reporting their mental diagnosis getting worse due to the quarantine, and also experiencing high levels of anxiety and stress. There is no wonder - the problems people face relating to job loss, the loss of normal ways of communication, and the fear of losing their loved ones are quite understandable causes of stress which contribute to the worsening of mental health problems. Nobody is out of risk in this case and if you stay under stress very often, this will affect your mental and even physical health, if not now then later.
What is the official data?
Here are a few quotes from the official reports and surveys that have data about the Americans mental health over the course of the last couple of months:
● A survey from the Centers for Disease Control found that from June 24-30, 2020, adults in the United States reported: “considerably elevated adverse mental health conditions associated with COVID-19.” Using validated screening instruments, the CDC survey found that, 40.9% of 5470 respondents reported an adverse mental or behavioral health condition, including symptoms of anxiety disorder or depressive disorder, trauma-related symptoms, new or increased substance use, or thoughts of suicide. The prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms was substantially higher than reported in 2019, and people with preexisting (clinically diagnosed) psychiatric disorders reported an even higher prevalence of symptoms, compared with those without an established diagnosis (Psychiatric Times).
● More than 1 in 4 in the U.S. reported having felt anxious more than half of the previous seven days. For feelings of depression, the number was close to 1 in 5, a figure that has inched up since near the start of the pandemic. The numbers of calls and texts to prominent helplines have soared compared to previous years' numbers, driven by
Covid-19-related concerns (NCB).
● Nationwide, 27.5 percent of Americans report having felt anxiety more than half the days
of the previous week. The Census Bureau asked the country how often people feel symptoms of anxiety and depression. This map shows the share of residents of a state who reported having felt those symptoms four or more days in the previous week (NCB).
What does this mean to you?
According to these researches and surveys, the mental health of the American people is certainly getting more critical due to self-isolation and constant stress. The huge amounts of citizens reporting experiencing anxiety and depression could mean somebody around you can be experiencing these too. It is very important to keep yourself safe and try to focus on the things that make you happy, and also check on your friends and family. The main key in this uncertain situation is to keep in contact with those who are dear to you, to not forget to ask how they are doing, and if they need help with anything. It is also important to reach out for help if you experience worsening of the mental illnesses you already had, or if you start experiencing any new symptoms. Due to the situation in the U.S, anyone can be affected by the long-term mental problems caused by the stress in this era, so everyone needs to take care of themselves and the ones around them.
How can you avoid this?
Here is the advice officials give related to this matter: “During this difficult time, it's important to continue looking after your physical and mental health. This will not only help you in the long-term, but it will also help you fight COVID-19 if you get it” (WHO). According to this, looking after your physical and mental health right now is important for both you to not experience the negative effects of the pandemic and to be healthy when it ends. It is always critical to take care of your health, even in times like these. They continue on: “First, eat a healthy and nutritious diet, which helps your immune system to function properly. Second, limit your alcohol consumption, and avoid sugary drinks. Third, don't smoke. Smoking can increase your risk of developing the severe disease if you become infected with COVID-19. Fourth, exercise (WHO)”. Here are listed all the things you’d need to maintain a good physical shape and a healthy body, which will positively influence your mental state. Besides those things, it is important to keep being in contact with your friends and family and doing things you enjoy to boost your mental health even more. The way you think is important too - remember to keep a positive outlook no matter what is happening around you!
Where to ask for help?
Call your healthcare provider if stress gets in the way.
● Call 911 if you feel like you want to harm yourself or others.
● Visit the Disaster Distress Helpline, call 1-800-985-5990, or text TalkWithUs to 66746.
● National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 800-273-8255 Remember - you are not alone and you are worthy!
Works Cited
“Is the Country Experiencing a Mental Health Pandemic?” Psychiatric Times, www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/are-we-really-witnessing-mental-health-pandemic.
“This COVID-19 Spike Will Also Hit Our Mental Health with a Second Wave.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 23 Oct. 2020, www.healthline.com/health-news/this-covid-19-spike-will-also-hit-our-mental-health-with-a-sec ond-wave.
Syed, Kanwal, and Naitian Zhou. “Pandemic's Toll on Mental Health Accentuated in Cities.” NBCNews.com, NBCUniversal News Group, 24 Nov. 2020, www.nbcnews.com/health/mental-health/map-anxiety-depression-your-state-compares-united-sta tes-n1248473.
“WHO Director-General's Opening Remarks at the Media Briefing on COVID-19 - 20 March 2020.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, https://www.who.int/director-general/speeches/detail/who-director-general-s-opening-remarks-at-the-media-briefing-on-covid-19---20-march-2020