The greatest assets of the human world are health, knowledge, love, freedom, solidarity and peace. These are now being threatened by the pandemic. As a daily lifestyle and social norms are changing, the purpose of life, as well as normal human psychology, is also changing.
Mental Health is a state of Psychological well-being of human beings. Each year on the 10th of October, the world observes World Mental Health Day. It creates an opportunity to come together to make mental health a reality for everyone and everywhere. This day also reminds us of the importance of mental health in humans’ life.
In every stage of human life, Mental Health is very important. It refers to emotional, psychological and social well being of human beings. As per the World Health Organization’s (WHO) guidelines, “Mental health is a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with normal stresses of life, can overcome challenges, can work productively and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.” Thus, for living a balanced and healthy life mental health is an undivided part.
Mental health amid COVID-19
Human beings are passing through the most ticklish time. All around the world, the rapid expansion of COVID-19 has transformed people from social to isolated human beings. Since the beginning of 2020, people are going through this difficult situation and it has become obvious that people are going to suffer long term for this pandemic. Already, an unexpected number of people has been killed by the pandemic and the death rate is increasing day by day.
The present pandemic situation has put forward a great change to the human body as well as mind. Millions of people’s mental health are seriously in danger as they are suffering from fear, panic, anxiety disorder, depression and some other stressful condition. As a result, frequent behavioural changes of individual are occurring and this serious mental health issue is becoming a threat to physical health.
Impact of social distancing on people
Moreover, as human beings are social creatures, the term ‘work from home’ & ‘physical distancing’ are creating much burden on people. People are getting more vulnerable for the absence of face to face interaction and regular socializing which is affecting family relationships and other things. And the bitter truth is, the mood-boosting power of face to face interaction with others can’t reduce the stress-strain of people along with phone calls or other social networks.
Mental health impacts our thoughts, feelings, emotions, behaviours, and activities though most of the time we ignore this issue. In the present situation, people all over the world are getting stressed due to fear of being infected, fear of being isolated and helpless, fear of losing livelihood, job insecurity etc. In such a manner, the health condition of individuals getting down and sleep disturbances, depression, anxiety, digestive problems, heart diseases, reproductive issues and even suicidal issues are coming to human minds.
COVID-19 test: A stigma in developing states
Particularly, in a developing country like Bangladesh, people ignore the importance of mental health because of lack of awareness. Moreover, in our country, this pandemic becomes very sensitive that has disrupted our long-cherished social and religious practices. Fear of stigma is haunting many people. Thus, people are avoiding and delaying for being tested until they are getting seriously ill.
People are getting afraid of quarantine and isolation because of social rejection and stigmatization. In many rural areas of our country, people are becoming double humiliated by their neighbours and others when they get a positive report. And this negative attitude from the society toward the infected people, in such a critical moment, makes them traumatized and mentally depressed. This depression is ruining human health and creates low motivation to live a happy life.
Mental peace necessary for sound health
As nobody knows how long this ‘Corona phobia’ is going to last in people’s mind, how many people are going to face death and what the future will bring, people have to fight with this disease. And to fight with this disease a sound mental condition is very important. Sound mental health can enhance the immune system and make it able to fight with infectious diseases.
Ways to get mental peace
The social brain of human beings always seeks a positive connection with others. A simple eye contact, friendly greetings, small talks, and exchanges of a smile (by maintaining physical distance) can have a great impact on mental peace in the present situation. As mind and body are interlinked with one another, regular physical exercises or activities and having balanced and healthy food can lift one’s mood which also helps to relieve stress and sleep better.
Use home confinement as an opportunity
Bad times or experiencing stresses are normal parts of human life. People’s ability to cope with the situation with a positive outlook is called resilience. And it is the individual who has the sole power to handle his own emotion in a positive way to build resilience. Home confinement creates an opportunity to strengthen family bonding by forming more quality time with them that human always wished to do in a previous competitive world.
Follow trustworthy sources
During crisis time, it is normal to feel stressed and people react differently in such situations. In present times, because of rumours and misinformation, most of the people feel out of control and get confused about what to do. It is necessary not to engage too much with negative news and only follow trusted sources of information. An individual need to address the stigma and create awareness among their family and near one’s.
Peer support
One thing that needs to be ensured that people who are staying alone or isolated should not be neglected by society. Peer support is another important thing that can reduce stress. A trusted person, whether from family or from friends, can work as a good helper to maintain mental peace by listening to the person who needs support. Therefore, there is always a need to focus on positive things and maintain a sense of hope.
“we all need to provide special attention to our mental well-being as it provides strength to our immune system to fight with the diseases”
The greatest assets of the human world are health, knowledge, love, freedom, solidarity and peace. These are now being threatened by the pandemic. As a daily lifestyle and social norms are changing, the purpose of life, as well as normal human psychology, is also changing. In such a situation, we all need to provide special attention to our mental well-being as it provides strength to our immune system to fight with the diseases. So, from today, lets become more concern about the psychological well-being of our own and near one’s, together for a better world.
This article was also published in Orbital Affairs Op-Ed on 9 October 2020.