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Alexa Braunig

1201 Eng

5/1/2020

Coronavirus Pandemic Heightens Mental Health

How do those with anxiety and depression set a routine during quarantine? Many articles

and research have published ways to set daily structure and activities to help with boredom.

Those with anxiety or depression need a set schedule of what they are doing to allow them to feel

less anxious. Doctors have allowed at home video calls to help talk about what they are feeling.

Researchers have found out the nursing homes are more likely to get depression during

quarantine than anyone else. Why's that?

"Mental health, which refers to a person's emotional, psychological, and social well-

being, affects how people think, feel, and act." (Mental Health, Gale Opposing Viewpoints,

Sinclair Community College Database). This article gives tips and ideas on how to maintain a

structural schedule while stuck inside. It gives ideas such as the following; sleep, exercising, and

eating healthy. Being healthy and happy takes more than just one thing. It involves challenging

yourself by making goals and finding ways to help within the community.
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This image was found from a radio stations article in San Antonio. It fit perfectly in describing

how something traumatic can ruin your mood. All you want to do is think about that constantly.

Mindfulness is a big thing to be aware of during these times. It can help reduce the

amount of stress and improve your overall health status. Just being outside can improve our

health. Having the resilience to maintain a healthy life with yourself and others around you.

There are several groups just within the United States that are of poorer mental health in the

adult population. "According to the American Psychological Association, economic stressors

like unemployment, homelessness, or housing insecurity, immigration status, and living at or

below the federal poverty and in unsafe communities are linked to higher raters of mental

illness." (Mental Health, Gale Opposing Viewpoints, Sinclair Community College Database).

There is a lack of health providers to diagnosis appropriately for a wide range of people. Such as

women, the LGBTQ community, racial minorities and transgender.

In 2018 the United States was ranked top 4 of the most stressed out population in the world. That

says a lot on how poor our health care system is. The majority of the population is teenagers and

young adults seeking medical attention. My guess is they are stressed from school and work.
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There was a survey taken in 2019 and the results said that 55% of the takers responded with high

insurance costs.

Worrying too much can just make things worse. People do not need to spend all day

watching updates for the virus. This is what results in people getting anxious and ending up

hoarding everything. Take time away from the television to take care of yourself. Anxiety takes

over when you over think things too much. Take a step back and relax. Engaging in self care can

be taking a walk or going for a bike ride. Other suggestions are reading a book, doing a puzzle,

or just listening to your favorite music.

Do keep in your mind that we are going through a pandemic, but you're not going

through this alone. Contact friends and family so you stay connected through the hard times.

Make plans for the future. Get yourself excited to do something. I have plans this summer to

hopefully go camping with friends and family for a week. Do little things to keep your mind off

of the news and take care of yourself.

During an interview that I read about from Mary Brophy Marcus. She asked questions of

mental health to actress Glenn Close and National Institute of Mental Health director Thomas

Insel. Glenn's family had several diagnoses of bipolar disorder, depression and several others.

She stated that it runs in the family from her grandfather to herself. A shocking statistic stated

was that 34,000 suicides a year and 90% are that of mental illness. This is probably a factor of

high pricing of health insurance where they cannot afford to see a professional or they live in

such a rural area that one is not provided.

13.5 % of Canadian Forces who have served in Afghanistan from 2001-08 have be

diagnosed with a mental health disorder from their deployment. This is according to a study that
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was published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. Just from 2001, there were more

than 40,000 deployed just to this location. More were deployed outside of North America or

Europe.

This study shows that not just North America is struggling with an illness during a

pandemic. Canada especially their forces are having a hard time too. Veterans and active duty

need the most help with PTSD and other disorders as well. Think that taking these kinds of

disorders and adding a national pandemic on top of that. How do you think those people feel?

They have to find ways to keep themselves safe because going out to get groceries might set

them off or them might have a compromised immune system where they aren't able to go

outside.

"Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in

adults and children." ( Stress and Coping, CDC). Some concerns that people may consider during

these times are difficultly sleeping or concentrating on things, eating differently, or just the fear

of yours or loved ones health. It states that older people have a higher risk for a more severe

risk of illness. As well as those with chronic diseases. Health care providers and first responders

are in more contact with this virus than anyone else. Ways to cope with this stress can be to take

breaks from the news. Take a step back and breath. We will all get through this together on step

at a time. Take deep breaths, stretch your body, meditate or just simply walk away for awhile.

But please do consider avoiding alcohol because you won't make wise decisions while drunk.

Plus I have heard that drinking can ruin your immune system faster.

There are plenty of phone numbers out there that are provided in case you or someone

you know who might have contracted the virus. Maybe you are feeling overwhelmed by it all
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and you just want to talk to a professional about it and get more information on how to take care

of yourself. Information for parents are also provided. Ways to watch for changes in behavior of

your children. Such as excessive worry or sadness, not wanted to do activities that they love to

do, poor school attendance or behavior and acting out. Talking to your children is a way to ask

what's wrong and to provide them more information on how to take care of themselves.

Answering any questions about the virus that concerns them the most. But most importantly is to

be a role model for them. They look up to you as their parent.

Do consider stocking up on non-perishable items that you may need like canned foods to

help minimize the amount of trips to grocery stores. Buying in bulk does decrease your chance in

getting the virus. Less time out in public. Please stay home if you are sick. Call someone if you

need something from the store. They are more likely to get it for you than you spreading

whatever you have to someone else. For when quarantine ends in the near future there is going to

be so many mixed emotions running around. Some might be worried about their health, stress

from experiencing the virus or looking out for someone who did. Guilty for not working because

your job wasn't essential or that you couldn't perform normal work during hard times. Everyone

is in the same boat. It is going to take some time for everyone to get back to normal business.

Take as long as you need to find your normal routine.

"Responding to COVID-19 can take an emotional toll on you, and you may experience

secondary traumatic stress." (Stress and Coping, CDC). Do allow time to cope from the

pandemic. Spend time with family, learn what you are going through and take some time off to

recover. First responders are working as hard as they can to get this under control. They are as

anxious as everyone else.

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This image shows first responders and how they are helping America. It reenacts the raising of

the flag. How first responders are the backbone of American and how they are putting their lives

in danger to protect their communities.

The Conoravirus has more of an impacted to people who have depression and anxiety.

Within a year, around 18% of people will struggle with some sort of anxiety disorder. Since

public health workers have pushed for social distancing. That means a lot of health appointments

are less urgent because they are scared to go outside. Many therapists are offering online

counseling where they can interact through phones or tablets. Those who are already diagnosed

with this may experience more fear in their everyday lives. There is no telling when and if this

virus will end so the uncertainty gets the worst of people.

Begin everyday with gratitude. Think of things that you are grateful for and start your day

off right. Set the negativity aside and think about yourself. Set yourself a routine and stick to it.

This first thing on that list should be to make your bed. To end the night and to start a fresh

morning. Get a good night's rest. During stressful times, sleep is the most important thing. It

helps the body recover and start fresh. Not getting enough sleep can take a toll on the body and
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cause more health problems down the road. Go outside, you are less likely to sit in front of the

television if you are active. Just keep a distance of 6 feet from others.

"A startling 44% of the quarter-million seniors living in residential-care facilities are

suffering from clinical depression."(Depression common in seniors' facilities, Globe & Mail,

Sinclair Community College Database). A study had found that 26 % if those living in nursing

homes or long care had been diagnosed with depression. Another 18% had symptoms but were

not diagnosed by a doctor. Those not diagnosed suffered from loss of sleep even poor

communication. Nationwide there is roughly 250,000 seniors in living facilities and that is just in

Nova Scotia, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Yukon.

This study shows that during times of isolation. It can take a bigger toll on seniors

because they are not able to visit with their families. See their friends because of self isolation if

they are sick. Recently in the news families have sat outside windows and talked to their loved

ones. Video calls are common in living facilities. Animal shelters had made visits to windows

showing puppies to llamas to help spread positive energy throughout the building.

An Executive Director Staff at a mental health facility said their staff are currently

making around 100 calls a day to patients. This virus has affect many people and taking a toll on

hundreds. Health providers have to find innovative ways to provide services to the community. A

non-profit health provider is been creating was to communicate with their patients even from a

distance. Members of the communicated that the virus had brought back past issues. Such as a

dark time they struggled to get through. "I don't feel so scared and now know I am not in this

alone. I have a system of support." (Local mental health advocates say COVID-19 is taking its

toll, NEWS 10). People are realizing that they are not going through this alone and reaching out
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to others for help. Ask if you realize someone is worried. This is the perfect time to ask.

Everyone is going through the same issues right now.

The fear of going outside might cause the anxiety to worsen. Communities around the

world have restrictions on time spent outside their homes. These are to help prevent the spread

rapidly and to slow it down. Now people are becoming even more worried to step foot inside a

grocery store to buy food, get their medicine or just basic household ideas. There are new and

improved ways to do such things without having to go inside of public buildings. People may

order online and have it delivered to their car. Only go inside the building if you absolutely have

too. Limit the amount of time you are inside. Cover your face with a mask to limit the amount of

germs that come in contact. If you do have to go inside. Try to go in the early hours or right

before closing. This is when there are less people out and about.

Store across the nation are setting hours for higher risk residents. So they can shop

without the fear of getting anything. Wipe down anything that you touch. Carry hand sanitizer

with you. This is to be used right after you leave the store. When getting home, straight away

wash your hands. Doctors understand if you have to reschedule any appointments to a later date.

Less urgent appointments might be rescheduled so the spread of germs isn't caused in the waiting

room.

If you do live with someone that is at high risk for the virus. Don't allow them to take

care of children. They could be carriers and it might spread. Get someone who is not at risk to

take care of the kids. Try to isolate yourself when possible. If you have to share a room with

someone who is sick. Open a window to circulate the air and try to provide a division between
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others to help prevent the spread. Wait as long as possible before entering a room where you

think someone who is sick was. Germs can only live in surfaces for so long.

To help regulate fear is in your hands. Wash them whenever you touch a surface. Follow

all rules and recommendations set in your community and state. Each state is different. Try

writing down your fears. If it starts to worry you, step back and take a break. Focus only on

things that can be controlled in your environment. Create a plan in case you come in contact with

anyone sick or if you do become sick. Set that list aside and don't go back to it until it is urgently

needed. If you do go back this might make you more worried.

Do set a schedule with friends and family to video call. Make sure to schedule in advance

to talk to them again. Don't let the virus take over the conversation. Try to limit that to talk

about funny stories or making plans. Do go easy on yourself, the less time you stress the better

you feel. Find something that you enjoy doing and do it. Maybe find something new that you

have always wanted to do and try it. Watch a movie with friends through video call. They are

also panicking like you are. Talking with them can influence you both to stay calm. Lift each

other's spirits and have fun.

"While the CDC insists that your overall risk of contracting COVID-19 is low, that

information alone is enough to trigger anxiety."(5 Ways to Manage Your Anxiety During

Coronavirus Outbreak, Korin Miller). Tell yourself that it is okay to worry. Stressing out over it

will only make things worse. If someone calls you out for being anxious. It is perfectly okay to

call them out. You can also ignore them because you are being the bigger person. Keep

reminding yourself that you are doing everything you can to help prevent the spread. If you find

yourself worrying too much take steps to calm down. Recognize that you are in a safe place.
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Keep your home clean. Self-care will help you down the road. You will learn how your body

reacts to different situations. Stay informed with current information but don't overwhelm

yourself to the point you are panicking.

Yes, the media does take news to the extreme. But there are ways to help relief anxiety

and depression during hard times of isolation. Talk to friends and family, go for a walk or simple

read a book. Take time to yourself to learn about what you can do to protect yourself and your

family as much as you can. There are professionals out there if you need to talk to anyone. We

are not alone in this. Hard times will pass if people take the precautions to heart. Don't stress

over money if you can't work. People are here to help. Call a food bank if you need anything.

There are resources out there in this time of need.

Make a routine that you will stick too. Don't just sit in front of the television and engulf

yourself in the news. This well make things worse for yourself. Take time away and relax. If you

do need to watch the news, set a time limit. Do take steps to help protect yourself and family.

Take advantage on doctor phone calls and volunteer in the community. Visit a nursing home to

make a residents day better. Help a neighbor in need if they are at high risk.

Anxiety and depression can be handled during this time. Articles have shown research

about how to take care of it. the CDC posts recommendations online to read about updates and

how to follow them. Take advantage of outside, fresh air helps the body heal.
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Work Cited

Currier, C., 2020. Local Mental Health Advocates Say COVID-19 Anxiety Is Taking Its Toll.

[online] KTVL. Available at: <https://ktvl.com/news/local/local-mental-health-

advocates-say-covid-19-anxiety-is-taking-its-toll> [Accessed 18 April 2020].

Lohmann, R., 2020. Coping With Anxiety And Depression During The Coronavirus Pandemic.

[online] Available at: <https://health.usnews.com/wellness/for-parents/articles/coping-

with-anxiety-and-depression-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic> [Accessed 18 April

2020].

Marcus, M., 2010. Glenn Close On Mental Illness: 'Say It Out Loud'. [online] Sinclair

Community College Database. Available at: <https://go-gale-

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Miler, K., 2020. 5 Ways To Manage Your Anxiety During Coronavirus Outbreak. [online]

Health.com. Available at: <https://www.health.com/condition/anxiety/coronavirus-

anxiety> [Accessed 18 April 2020].

Picard, A., 2010. Depression Common In Seniors' Facilities. [online] Sinclair Community

College Online Library. Available at: <https://go-gale-

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