To address these challenges and increase the capacity and availability of support, governments, local communities and civic organizations need to increase the resources directed towards addressing psychological suffering, now and after the pandemic has passed. Volunteering has been shown as one way to assist. Volunteering not only reconnects people and supports those who need help, it gives volunteers themselves a sense of meaning, which can help counteract low mood and produce positive thinking.
Many people around the world have responded to the pandemic through technology, volunteerism and leaning on each other, to bridge disconnection and improve mental health.
Miroslaw Vavrecanova, Head of Human Resources at UNV, is a passionate advocate for breaking down mental health stigma and has seen the power of technology to connect us. Miroslaw spoke of how rather than hosting purely technical webinars, UNV chose to unitize technologies that support high-connection virtual learning, so that people can actively interact and easily share their thoughts and ideas. We live in turbulent times and compacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the issue of mental health is not only relevant but crucial. Mental health is more than the presence or absence of a mental illness. It is a crossroad between emotional, psychological, and physical well-being. Some of the typical indicators teachers may use to identify students experiencing mental health difficulties may not be available. Some teachers may not be meeting with students in person. Some teachers may not have the same student drop-ins. Some teachers may not be able to read students’ masked faces. As such, teachers may wonder how students are doing or the degree to which they are struggling, particularly with respect to emotional problems.
People with substance use disorders, notably those addicted to tobacco or opioids, are likely to have worse outcomes if they have COVID-19. That's because these addictions can harm lung function and weaken the immune system, causing chronic conditions such as heart disease and lung disease, which increase the risk of serious complications from COVID-19.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, you may experience stress, anxiety, fear, sadness and loneliness , financially backward and mental health disorders, including anxiety and depression, can worsen.
Surveys show a major increase in the number of U.S. adults who report symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression and insomnia during the pandemic, compared with surveys before the pandemic. Some people have increased their use of alcohol or drugs, thinking that can help them cope with their fears about the pandemic. In reality, using these substances can worsen anxiety and depressions. Self-care strategies are good for your mental and physical health and can help you take charge of your life. Take care of your body and your mind and connect with others to benefit your mental health.
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