When the Covid 19 infection spread it wings in the early months of 2020, causing more and more cases increasing in every corner of the world, it was soon announced to be a pandemic. The world quickly took notice of this and began to find ways to control its spread. What many failed to see was the silent pandemic that came along; the pandemic of mental health.
Those with pre-identified mental health conditions, suffered with the sudden drop (up to 30% (1)) in the supply of medication and access to therapy (up to 67% (2)). While telemedicine and virtual therapy did bridge the gap to a certain extent, it took a while for mental health practitioners to make these alternate services available. Additionally, the reach for these services tend to stay limited to a certain sect of the society with the existing digital divide.
As the cases of Covid 19 grew and spread far and wide, so did the issues, related to mental health. When situations of mass deaths in parts of the world came to light, the entire world stood still in a stake of shock. The most common emotion that engulfed the whole wide world, was that of FEAR. Some feared that they or their loved ones will get infected, while others feared for the lives of those already infected. As businesses shut, offices closed and the world literally came to a halt, an additional fear of livelihood, of future financial burdens and beyond, hit all those impacted.
This prolonged state of being in an emotion, impacted many to become passive, or overly protective; while others chose to hide it and suppress the fear behind anger and frustration. This led to a 25.6% (3) increase in cases of anxiety disorders, and an increase of 27.6% (4) cases of depression globally.
When stay at home orders were put in place, workplaces and schools closed, families (of all types) were forced to stay together inside their homes. Not all families are conducive for good physical and mental health of all its members. Many family members find their mental peace and sanity at their workplace or with friends outside their own homes. When such families had to stay together amidst the rising emotion of fear everywhere, it impacted the dynamics. An alarming increase in domestic violence cases (highest in 10 years (5) in India alone) was recorded during the Covid-19 lockdown periods. It was observed that 1 in every 4 women (6) and 1 in every 10 men (7) were a victim of domestic violence. Considering 86% (8) women (in Indian context) do not even raise a complaint, this rise then, seems to be just the tip of the iceberg. The increase in the anxiety disorders and depression cases were also found higher in women (9) as compared to men.
Research has also shown that increased stress levels, seclusion and fear in parents has led to the increase of child abuse cases around the world. At least 1 in every 7 children (10) has experienced child abuse/neglect during the pandemic. Children had never seen something like this in their lifetime and did not know how to handle the social seclusion from their friends, teachers and the outer world that they connected with. With lack of physical activity, social connection and the sense of being trapped, caused a lot of confusion leading to anxious behaviors. Stressed parents are more likely to respond to their children’s anxious behaviors in an abusive and aggressive manner. These responses not only increase the anxieties in the children in the present, but can also impact their mental health for years to come.
A total of 52,00,000 (11) of deaths worldwide, have been reported due to Covid-19. Each of those who have lost their lives to this deadly disease, have left behind a trail of friends, family and loved ones. Many of who are probably still struggling to cope with such an untimely loss. Grief stricken people are more likely to lose their hope and purpose of living and slip into clinical depression.
Amidst all this informed, data mapped discussion, there is another section of the society, that is dealing with the mental health traumas silently due to lack of knowledge,
understanding and awareness of the what and the how. Many parts of the world, are still battling with the stigma attached to mental health. About 14% (12) of the global burden of disease is attributed to neuropsychiatric disorders. In the words of Dr. Brock Chrisholm, the first Director General of World Health Organization “without mental health, there is no true physical health”. Yet, we are far from treating and talking about mental health as we do for physical health.
The work then has to be done at multiple levels. Starting from increasing knowledge and awareness, to improving the reach and access of available solutions, medications and therapies. And this work is not limited to those designated to lead. Each one of us, in our own circle of influence, in our own ability, knowledge and skill, can make an impact. If only, we make an intentionally conscious commitment to make choices aligned with this cause.
Data Sources
(1), (2) – COVID-19 disrupting mental health services in most countries, WHO survey II 5 October 2020 (3), (4) - Global prevalence and burden of depressive and anxiety disorders in 204 countries and territories in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic II Article in Lancet.com II Volume 398, ISSUE 10312, P1700-1712, November 06, 2021 (5) - Data | Domestic violence complaints at a 10-year high during COVID-19 lockdown II Article in THE HINDU, dated June 24, 2020 (6), (7) - Violence Prevention II Center for Disease Control & Prevention II Intimate Partner Violence (8) - Data | Domestic violence complaints at a 10-year high during COVID-19 lockdown II Article in THE HINDU, dated June 24, 2020 (9), (10)- Global prevalence and burden of depressive and anxiety disorders in 204 countries and territories in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic II Article in Lancet.com II Volume 398, ISSUE 10312, P1700-1712, November 06, 2021 (11), (12) - Mental health awareness: The Indian scenario II 2016 Jul-Dec
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