Despite the fact that the world has almost forgotten about the COVID-19 pandemic, one can not deny that it has changed our lives. The two and a half years when the pandemic was at its peak not only pushed people to social distance and isolation, but it also permanently damaged the health of millions of people and was the reason for millions of deaths.
The pandemic, however, was not just about that. It has caused mental pressure on millions, and it continues to exert a toll on how people live, work, learn, socialize, and view the world. More and more workplaces opted for working from home, and more employees realised that WFH is something they want to continue, so many quit their jobs when that changed in the workplace. The growth of unemployment, housing insecurity, and, well, loneliness became a staple during these times.
All of these factors and circumstances combined to have a greater impact on people's mental health than their physical health.The World Health Organization (WHO) defines mental health as "a state of well-being in which an individual realises his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community."
Even the United Nations reported that stress and anxiety levels had risen substantially since 2020.
What were the major reasons for the rise in mental health problems?
As per a report by Medical News Today, multiple lockdowns, physical distancing, and fear of infection increased isolation, loneliness, anxiety, and depression. According to psychologist and founder of Essentialise Workplace Wellbeing, Lee Chambers, all these factors are the main reasons for all mental health issues.?
Since people did not see this coming at all, the lockdowns had quite an impact on people's mental health. In April 2021, the National Institute of Mental Health reported that rates for anxiety, depression, stress-related symptoms, substance misuse, and suicidal thoughts were almost double those expected before the pandemic.
According to a Lancet Regional Health report, all people who had previously been diagnosed with mental health issues, as well as young people in general, were the most affected by the pandemic. Despite the fact that young people were not physically as affected as their elders, things affected them mentally. Disruption to education, work, and social interactions had all taken their toll.
But now that we have seen why mental health was impacted so severely, it also gave rise to the fact that more people started taking their mental well-being more seriously. The pandemic gave rise to topics about taking care of mental health, and more people around the globe started talking more about getting help.
Here is what people started doing to take care of their mental health:
Even though most of it was done virtually, which some may say is not the same as physical therapy, a lot of people started talking to a professional. Mental health professionals could no longer meet with their clients in person; it was a crash course in online therapy, also known as teletherapy. While many people did have to suddenly learn how to take the online route, it was a refreshing change for all those people who wanted to get help from the comfort of their homes.
Even though many have started taking face-to-face therapy, a lot have shifted to online therapy only because of the money and time it saves. Moreover, according to research, online therapy is fine for mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, and even substance abuse.
Since the increase in stress and anxiety affected people, many tried focusing on themselves and experimenting with various modes of self-care.Since many were forced to spend time with themselves, many reflected on what was happening in their lives and on things they needed to change in their routines as well.
For everyone, self-care and coping mechanisms seemed to be different. While those who already dealt with mental health issues knew what to do, many who felt this wave of sadness and anxiety had to take matters into their own hands in a whole new way. Common practises included exploring new hobbies, connecting with friends virtually, and spending more time with close loved ones. Many even made sure to give time to themselves by spending time on things they wouldn't generally do, like taking a nice shower or starting a new beauty ritual.
People from the older generation, who thought mental illness was probably made up, began to see it differently after they or their loved ones had to deal with it. There were a lot of stigmas, negative attitudes, stereotypes, and even outright discrimination that revolved around mental illness, which reduced the likelihood of people talking about mental health.
But all of that changed in this pandemic period. It destigmatized mental health to a certain degree. The pandemic also contributed to an increased focus on mental health since so many were dealing with struggles and talking about them online.
People who had to deal for the first time with different mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and substance abuse were compelled to read and learn more about them. This also made them empathise with others who had been dealing with these issues and understand them at a much deeper level.
Remember all those plans we missed out on while we were trapped in the lockdown? Well, that was happening a lot among people. Other than that, many people started learning about the benefits of being outside. Many missed the morning walks they skipped once in a while or just hanging out with their friends and having their favourite alcohol in their favourite bar.
Other than that, experts suggested that exposure to nature can have a host of mental health benefits, including decreased stress, a better mood, increased empathy, and a reduced risk for mental health conditions. So, it was found out that it was pretty much the need of the hour.
Mental health is pretty important, and now is a great time to acknowledge it.