By Melissa Comia, Upjohn Philippines General Manager
It has been a difficult year for us so far—which somehow, still seems like an understatement. COVID-19 has had a profound effect on us as a society, as well as us as individuals. For most, the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) enacted in March meant staying at home – no dining out, no social gatherings, no travels, no meeting up with friends and family – to help stop the spread of the disease.
Over the past few months, we as a society have gone through two different, yet equally significant, types of grief: collective grief and anticipatory grief.1
In an interview done by Harvard Business Review with David Kessler—author, public speaker, and expert on grief—described the collective grief hanging in the air as “the loss of normalcy; the fear of economic toll; the loss of connection. (…) We feel the world has changed, and it has. We know this is temporary, but it doesn’t feel that way, and we realize things will be different.”
On anticipatory grief, Kessler explained it as the feeling that comes with a loss of safety, of the looming feeling that something bad is about to happen, like when a loved one is diagnosed with cancer.1
The knowledge of the pandemic, and the constant exposure to news reports on its spread, has led to an increase in emotional distress. Studies on disaster mental health have shown that emotional distress is pervasive in affected communities. Emotional distress can manifest in different ways, including difficulty sleeping, changes in eating patterns, and worsening of chronic health problems, among others. For those already diagnosed with mental health problems, emotional distress from a pandemic—and its ensuing quarantine—can make their conditions worse.
In a Senate health committee hearing in May, Dr. Roland Cortez, chief of the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH), reported that the 24-hour hotline numbers of the NCMH have been receiving 300 to 400 monthly calls ever since quarantine took effect, compared to 80 monthly calls before COVID-19. Other mental health groups and institutions have also set up hotlines to support individuals struggling with the stress of the pandemic, as well as psychological support for frontliners.
As some cities move toward easing quarantine restrictions and eventually live the “new normal”, we will grapple with a new challenge: re-integrating ourselves into a society that is working through the trauma of a pandemic. We cannot go back to what was normal before the outbreak of COVID-19—social distancing, wearing masks when stepping out of the house, and frequent hand washing will remain the norm while a vaccine is being developed and individuals may carry the disease and remain asymptomatic.
This leaves us with the important task of not just caring for those around us—our friends, our families—but also ourselves, as individuals. It is common knowledge that to address a problem, the first step is to acknowledge the existence of the problem. In this case, it is that we are all emotionally distressed, all going through a form of grief. While some individuals may be more susceptible than others to the psychosocial effects of a pandemic, we must work together to ensure that we create a space wherein it is acceptable and encouraged to seek professional help.
As we transition to a new way of living, we urge those who have gone through emotional distress to speak to professionals trained to deal with this kind of trauma. Psychiatrists, psychologists, and therapists are available to take on the resulting effects of being in isolation for the better half of three months, and are best equipped to help process the complicated emotions felt during the quarantine.
The crisis we have all faced has affected us; to say otherwise, at this point, feels superhuman. Break the stigma and the misconception that seeking professional help implies weakness, or failure on your part.
Now, more than ever, we must recognize that professionals are here to help. And that it is completely normal to seek help.
We at Upjohn, a Pfizer division, stand with Filipinos who are suffering from depression and anxiety. If you or someone you know is having difficulty coping with our current situation, always know that help is available. Contact the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) Crisis Hotlines – 0917 899 USAP (8727) and 7989 USAP (8727).
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