The Mental Health Effects of COVID-19 and Its Implications

By Tracy Soberal

Introduction

Mental health can be defined as a part of a person’s well-being, meaning they are functioning at satisfactory levels of emotional and behavioral adjustment to life circumstances and situations. The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc globally causing a pandemic and healthcare crisis, with millions infected and death tolls in the hundreds of thousands. Many countries imposed measures to restrict the movement of people, as health officials found ways to combat this unprecedented, global health emergency. In addition, the healthcare industry is already riddled with contingencies that are linked to resource shortages which affect testing, treatment, and protect against infections and imposition of public health measures. These factors that patients face contribute to increased emotional distress and heightened risks of psychiatric or mental illnesses. The need for healthcare providers to address these mental health challenges is paramount to the pandemic response. The coronavirus pandemic and the resulting impacts negatively affected many individuals’ mental health and brought about new barriers for pre-existing mental problems. According to research by Panchal et al. (2020), 4 in 10 people in the United States reported symptoms of anxiety and depression disorder during the pandemic. As the pandemic continues to affect the planet, health measures reveal situations related to poor mental health outcomes, such as isolation and job loss, and spread further to health systems and the delivery of patient care. Health care systems’ ability to remain financially stable is threatened, while health care delivery systems have changed tremendously, with tele-health on the uprise. We will review the issue of the COVID-19 pandemic and how it has affected mental health.

Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health

The pandemic has changed the way people live their lives on a daily basis and brought about great uncertainty. For example, daily routines have been altered due to lockdowns in an attempt to minimize the spread of the virus which has led to financial pressures and social isolation (WHO, 2020). In addition, the strict adherence to public health guidelines has led many people to imagine “worst-case” scenarios resulting in negative mental health impacts. Many people of all ages are experiencing mental health effects, such as stress, fear, sadness, and loneliness hence, leading to mental health complications such as depression and anxiety (Mayo Clinic, 2020). A survey conducted by Panchal et al. showed that the mental health of 53% of adults in the U.S. has been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic (Panchal et al., 2020). The new realities of life such as temporary employment, homeschooling children, working from home; coupled with isolation from friends, family, and co-workers led to increased worry and fear. Many people lost their jobs which dramatically increased the rates of depression and anxiety. Furthermore, elderly patients and those with underlying health conditions are at an even higher rate of mental health complications due to fear and anxiety from the pandemic. Older adults and those with underlying health conditions are more vulnerable to the virus hence the importance of social distancing (WHO, 2020), which can be fear-inducing because of limited interactions amongst people overall, increased feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and fear have resulted. Social withdrawal due to the pandemic and its psychological effects have intensified the need for psychological interventions and solutions.

Forms of Social Withdrawal

There are three main forms of social withdrawal: quarantine, isolation, and social distancing. Quarantine is the medical term used to refer to the physical isolation of a person who is known to have been exposed to a communicable disease, but has yet to develop the symptoms of that disease, and to monitor the development of that disease in the person (CDC, 2017). In the case of COVID-19, the standard quarantine is 14 days, which was reduced as time went on. Isolation refers to a situation where infection or contact with an infected person is not confirmed, but separation from others in society occurs as a preventive measure. Isolation may be mandatory or self-imposed. Social distancing is used to refer to behavior that keeps people physically distant from each other, to avoid the spread of contamination. This can be on an individual or group basis (CDC, 2020). A study by the World Health Organization (2020) established that the coronavirus disease, coupled with public health measures mentioned above, have contributed to mental health issues of millions of people around the globe.

Quarantine

Quarantine has been found to be an unpleasant experience for those that it is imposed upon, as it can entail the loss of freedom, uncertainty about the disease and outcome, and forced separation from loved ones. As a consequence, there have been reports of increased suicide, outburst of anger and lawsuits following quarantine procedures (Barbisch et al., 2015). A study of hospital staff who were quarantined because they may have come into contact with the COVID-19 virus reported symptoms of acute stress disorder. People with a history of mental illness were reported to experience symptoms of anxiety and were exhibiting anger 4-6 months after quarantine ended (Jeong et al, 2016). Typically, periods of 10 or more days produced higher levels of post traumatic stress disorder. A major issue for those being quarantined is the sense of boredom they must deal with while being confined. The reduced social and physical contact with others, and the sense of being isolated and cut-off from the rest of society are especially distressing elements. Furthermore, the lack of basic supplies, including food, water, clothing and medical prescriptions was found to be a source of frustration (Blendon et al., 2004). There is potential for mental health problems to be sustained, even when the period of quarantine is concluded.

Social Isolation/Distancing

In addition, the term “social distancing” is relatively new, but is not a new phenomenon. Keeping a distance from others, for reasons of physical and psychological protection, is a well-documented function of human behavior. The use of social distancing, in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, is a measure designed to limit the availability of the virus to spread. Social distancing, when used on an individual basis, can include keeping a minimum of 6 feet of distance from each other, wearing masks in public, and working from home. Many mental health clinicians were concerned that social distancing would prevent people from interacting in ways that are known to foster good mental health and offer psychological soothing such as hugging, handholding, and other forms of affection and support attained through physical contact (Pandika, 2020). While social distancing is a necessary procedure for flattening the coronavirus curve, it also causes a social recession, through a collapse in contact, which is harder on those already vulnerable to isolation and loneliness. While isolation is the appropriate response to the pandemic, something must be done to combat any potential ill-effects from the sense of loneliness it can cause.

Conclusion/Biography

The covid-19 pandemic has affected our entire global landscape, with its effects felt on organizational, societal and mental health levels. The social impact of lockdowns and curfews, cutting off interactions between people and limiting movement has negatively affected people’s mental health; therefore, measures must be put into place to reach all people, especially those who are most vulnerable, to offer emotional and psychological support to protect and preserve their mental health.

Tracy Soberal, B.S., R.T. (T), has spent 20 years fighting and treating cancer, as well as providing compassionate, high-quality care to patients in the field of radiation oncology. As a radiation therapist, she knows cancer does not just affect the patient’s life, but everyone’s lives around them as well. She works tirelessly each day to go above and beyond for each patient and their family, to alleviate any stress or to provide support in any manner necessary.

Tracy knows there is no single approach that works for every patient, as she treats every patient as an individual; continuing to educate herself on emerging therapies and treatment techniques to better serve the patient demographic. In the past, Tracy has been chosen to train and implement new technologies in her working environment.

Tracy received her education at SUNY Empire State College with a Master’s of Business Administration in Healthcare Leadership (to be awarded December 2022), in addition to a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences from SUNY Stony Brook, where she was named Valedictorian of her class, as well as receiving the Professional Excellence award.

Tracy is currently in private practice in New York, where she lives with her 4 beautiful children. Tracy enjoys coaching competitive cheerleading and is seeking her doctoral degree after completion of her Master’s degree in December.