LAST May, which is globally Mental Health Month, the National Center for Mental Health reported that the number of calls its hotline receives had increased significantly—from 60 to 80 calls per month before the community quarantine began in March to 300 to 400 calls since the lockdown.
These calls for help come from persons claiming to be suffering from anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. The Philippine Star quotes NCMH Director Rolando Cortez noting that “there are a lot of people wanting to communicate with experts through the crisis hotline and these cases involve anxiety and depression related to the lockdown” during a virtual public hearing by the Senate Committee on Mental Health chaired by Sen. Bong Go.
And we are not alone, as even members of royalty and celebrities have openly talked about their struggles with mental health. In a Health News article, What Covid-19 is Doing to Our Mental Health, Kimberly Holland was concerned that “since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic and isolation efforts in March, Americans have been reporting increasing pressure on their mental health.”
“Whether it’s because they’ve lost a job or fear of losing one, they’re struggling to piece together money to pay bills, or they’re worried about their health and safety [or that of everyone in their house], the continuous onslaught of worry and insecurity is leading to greater mental health issues than before.”
That’s because “there is no playbook for Covid-19,” says Holland. “The truth is, much of what we are doing is unscripted, unknowable, and uncertain. And that, it turns out, could be creating a great deal of anxiety, fear, and even depression for Americans.”
This concern for mental health is echoed by Minda Zetlin in an Inc. article, These Mental Habits Help Resilient People Handle Stay at Home Orders. “The current pandemic is taking an emotional toll on just about everyone. Most of us have been cut off from our workplaces and friends, and in some cases, even our families and livelihoods,” she says. “All of us have lost whatever certainty we had about the future.”
In her article, Zetlin analyzes why some people are living with the strain of social distancing better than the others. She cites research that it is those who limit exposure to the news, don’t spend too much time on social media, and who focus on self-care who have better coping mechanisms.
While things have since opened up, nothing about the days we are living is normal. With this, mental health can still be fragile and continue to be a concern.
How, indeed, does one manage mental health? The experts in Healthline, an American web site that’s committed to being a source for expert health guidance, offer some resources and tips, both traditional and newly acquired in these times.
- Find a therapist. Dr. Timothy Legg, PhD, CRNP recommends finding therapists who are providing treatment on-line.
“I have transitioned most of my practice to the on-line environment as a result of Covid-19,” he says,” and my clients seem to have taken well to it. I also had a group of people who were not regular clients per se, but just wanted to check in for some support. The use of telepsych has truly helped.
Closer to home there is the National Center for Mental Health hotlines we earlier mentioned which are open 24/7: 0917-8998727 and 9898727.
- Be patient with yourself. As Legg reminds us, this is like nothing else we’ve earlier experienced. No one has experienced this. No one should expect to get it right.
“These are trying and fearful times, “he says. “Allowing yourself to experience natural emotions without judging those emotions can be powerful.
- Remember to breathe. Dr. Ramani Durvasula, PhD, on the other hand, says that “a few deep breaths with eyes closed and feet firmly planted on the ground can actually do wonders.”
Let a wash of calm overwhelm you and help you find a bit of solitude when you’re feeling untethered.
- Move around if you can. “Find time to exercise,” Legg says. “Clearly you can’t get to the gym, but even if it is doing ‘laps’ around your house or pulling out a few cans of soup to make ‘improvised’ weights, exercise can be quite beneficial for stress and overall mood.”
He also suggests checking out YouTube for some videos you can do, too.
- Set a routine. “Routine is important for all us,” says Ramani, “but all the more so when a person is struggling with anxiety, sadness and other issues.”
However,” don’t be too aspirational or perfectionistic in the schedule. Keep it simple, but have one—a wake-up time, a routine upon waking, a goal for the morning, a goal for the afternoon, some form of activity, and pleasurable activities. This can be difficult for someone who is experiencing apathy, but even having just a wake-up time can be a start.”
- Make social contact. While you can’t always make physical contact, Ramani suggests trying FaceTime or Zoom with your family. Even online support groups can connect you with others.
May we also suggest, turning to the arts—music and visual arts—for healing. And of course, there is nothing like prayer.
PR Matters is a roundtable column by members of the local chapter of the United Kingdom-based International Public Relations Association (Ipra), the world’s premier association for senior professionals around the world. Millie Dizon, the Senior Vice President for Marketing and Communications of SM, is the former local chairman.
We are devoting a special column each month to answer the reader’s questions about public relations. Please send your comments and questions to askipraphil@gmail.com.
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