Introduction
A pandemic is more than just a medical event;
it affects people and society, causing disruption, worry, stress, stigma, and
xenophobia. The conduct of an individual as a unit of society or a community
has a significant impact on the dynamics of a pandemic, including the severity,
degree of flow, and after-effects.
The rapid human-to-human transmission of the
SARSCoV2 virus resulted in the imposition of regional lockdowns to prevent the
sickness from spreading further. Isolation, social isolation, and the shutdown
of educational institutions, jobs, and entertainment venues forced people to
stay at home to help break the transmission chain. However, the stringent
policies had an impact on mental health.
Quarantine and
self‐isolation
can most likely cause harm to one's mental health. A review published in The Lancet said that the
separation from loved ones, loss of freedom, boredom, and uncertainty can cause
a deterioration in an individual's mental health status
Individual and societal-level initiatives are
required to address this. Both children and adults are experiencing a range of
emotions as a result of the current world scenario. They may be placed in a new
setting or environment that is possibly harmful to their health.
Children
and teen at risk-
Children who are staying at home, away from
their school, friends, and colleagues, may have many questions regarding the
outbreak and turn to their parents or caregivers for answers. Not all children
and parents react the same way to stress. Anxiety, distress, social isolation,
and an abusive environment can harm a child's mental health, either short or
long-term. Common changes in children behaviour can be:
1. Excessive crying and bothersome behaviour
2. Increased melancholy, depression, or
anxiety Difficulties concentrating and paying attention
3. Changes in or avoidance of previously favoured
activities
4. Unexpected headaches and soreness
throughout their bodies
5. Alterations in eating habits
Elders
and people with disabilities at risk-
Elderly persons are particularly vulnerable
to the COVID19 outbreak for clinical and social reasons, such as having a
weakened immune system or other underlying health concern and being separated
from their relatives and friends due to their hectic schedules. Even if they
are in good health, those over the age of 60 are more likely to contract
SARSCoV2 and develop a serious and life-threatening illness.
Physical isolation caused by the COVID19
outbreak can have a significant negative impact on the mental health of the
elderly and disabled. Physical seclusion at home among family members might
endanger the mental health of the elderly and disabled. It can give them fear,
anguish, and create a terrible environment.
Elderly individuals rely on their children
for their everyday needs, and self-isolation can be devastating to a family
system. Nursing home residents who are elderly or disabled may suffer from
severe mental health problems. During a pandemic outbreak, however, something
as basic as a phone call can assist to calm older folks. COVID19 can also cause
tension, worry, and depression in elders.
Any of the following changes in the conduct
of elderly relatives may be seen by family members-
1. Irritable and yelling behaviour
2. Changes in their eating and sleeping
habits
3. Excessive emotional outbursts
Health
workers at risk-
Doctors, nurses, and paramedics on the front
lines of the COVID19 outbreak may be more vulnerable to developing mental
health problems. Fear of contracting a disease, long working hours, a lack of
protective clothing and supplies, a high patient load, a lack of appropriate
COVID19 medicine, the death of coworkers after exposure to COVID19.
Medication,
the death of coworkers due to COVID19 exposure, social separation and isolation
from family and friends, and the dreadful circumstances of their patients may
all have a significant impact on health workers' mental health. As the pandemic
spreads, health workers' productivity may dwindle progressively. Short breaks
should be taken by health workers in between working hours.
Stigmatization-
People who have recently been freed from
quarantine may face stigma and a range of emotions. When people come out of
quarantine, they may feel differently and be greeted differently by society.
Because of the extraordinary viral nature, those who have just recovered may
need to maintain social distance from family members, friends, and relatives to
guarantee their family's safety.
The current scenario, however, necessitates a
detailed understanding of the impacts of the recent outbreak on the mental
health of people of various ages to prevent and avert the COVID-19 pandemic.
Written By - Neha
Edited By - Chavi Goel
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