Are We Doing Enough to Avert A Possible Mental Crisis Disaster ?
By: Mohamud Al-Jabarti M.D
Tags: Anxiety, Quarantine, Covid 19, Mental Health, Stress

As countries continue to have a rise in the number of people infected with the novel coronavirus, other ugly experiences are equally trending alongside. Economies around the globe have been crippled, and health situations don’t seem to be getting any better, as well as some other occurrences that may very well be leading us to a possible humanitarian crisis.

But even as we watch the current events as they unfold and hope that we don’t end up in the ditch of a humanitarian crisis, something is happening now that we have to pay serious attention to. We have got a mental crisis unfolding before our very eyes, and the majority of governments are yet to take any measures to stem the tide.

Even as we pray and hope we never arrive at that dead zone of mental crisis, here are some scenarios that are, unfortunately, aiding the process:

People without access to usual support systems

It is not everybody that had the privilege of fending for themselves before the pandemic struck. The less privileged comprised the aged, physically challenged, people with life-threatening sicknesses, the unemployed, and many others. The state of the world’s economy has not helped issues either. That is why the majority of governments, especially in places with a stable economy, were using support systems to cater to the needs of those who find it difficult to fend for themselves. With such support systems in place, the less privileged were able to provide for their basic needs.

However, the spate of events triggered by the current pandemic is doing well enough to cripple the hopes of the less privileged. Furthermore, is the fact that more people are losing their jobs, which will make it more difficult for the government to continue with their support systems.

The inability of people to get the support they need is very likely to lead to more frustrations and depressions, which means we could have a mental crisis in the making.

Stress/Anxiety over Future

There is one thing that has been quite common with this pandemic, and that is the fact that people are overwhelmed with uncertainties. The uncertainty of what life would become after the virus saga; the possibility of where their next meal will come from; the uncertainty of what governments intend to do next, and, more importantly, the uncertainty of what the future holds for everybody.

Stress and anxiety are beginning to eat people up all over the place. What used to be the problem of the poor and the sick has now become the problem of everybody. The influential and unrecognized, the strong and weak, the blacks and whites, everyone is beginning to have a considerable dose of anxiety and stress. That can undoubtedly trigger a mental crisis if people are not informed on how they can reduce their fears and anxieties.

Those isolated with abusers

Abuse has been an inevitable part of human existence. Some persons cannot help but think irrationally and act irresponsibly. Coincidentally, various polls have indicated that abuse cases have risen by a sharp number within this period. That is because the lockdowns have mandated people to stay indoors, leading them to spend more time with their partners or spouses.

As such, you would expect the slightest provocations to give rise to abuses. Sadly, that has been the trend as we go through these trying times. Hence, as some persons do what they can to put up with their abusers, you would expect them to break down psychologically at some point. And when that occurs, we may be in for a disaster of mental crisis.

Frontline workers

Frontline workers have been described as heroes everywhere they turn to, particularly those who are functioning as health workers. In a sincere bid to contain the spread of the virus, quite a few them have contracted the virus in the course of their discharging their duties. Some have even lost their lives, while others have deliberately stayed away from their families or loved ones, so they don’t end up infecting them with the virus.

These frontline workers have demonstrated what it means to render selfless service as a sign of patriotism. But even as these selfless heroes sacrifice their time to combat this novel virus, their psychological abilities are being stretched to the limit. People have locked themselves in labs to ensure they find a vaccine or come up with a cure. The situation requires that they flex their mental capabilities and do whatever brainwork that is required to bring this to an end. However, the thing is, they might be doing way more than their bodies can allow. That could amount to a mental crisis.

People who have lost someone and don’t have access to a support system/can’t funeral rituals

Death has always been part of life. People die daily, and loved ones are left behind to grieve their passing away. That said, the passing on of people is being handled differently, especially when it is coronavirus related. Governments have passed regulations around the world that forbids people from conducting funeral service for their loved ones or even attending any social gathering in general. This was deemed necessary as one of the measures of stopping the virus from spreading beyond control.

While everyone understands that such a measure was meant for their good, it is a decision that seems to be causing survivors to grieve more than they should. Some cannot imagine that the long-standing culture of burying their loved ones have suddenly become an act that is berated by the government.

As approximately 260,000 people have lost their lives to this unseen enemy, families have been thrown into longer grieving acts as they have no access to give the deceased the burial rites they deserve. This is something that would undoubtedly result in a mental crisis should we continue in this trajectory.

Conclusion

The novel coronavirus has changed lives as we knew it, and we are beginning to adjust to some of those changes. Although we are still transitioning regarding our new lifestyle, it is expedient the authorities pay special attention to the rise in mental health cases that have rocked various places at the moment. So, we don’t end up having a mental crisis disaster on our hands.