THE fear and uncertainty over the Covid-19 effects on the economy, society and being confined to your home for a certain period can weigh down on a person’s mental health.
Millions of people across the world who have been confined to their homes have turned to video sharing apps like TikTok for moral support and comic relief, or some exercises to remain occupied.
Italians, who have one of the highest numbers of confirmed cases, have resorted to singing from their balconies with signs and banners of encouragement to cope with the pandemic.
Namibia began a 21-day lockdown in Khomas and Erongo regions last week with a countrywide shutdown said to be imminent. So far the lockdown has been met with ignorance and defiance with the public continuing their daily activities and not adhering to the one metre apart social-distance directive in shopping queues.
To cushion the impact of the pandemic, the World Health Organisation (WHO) on 18 March released a document, as a series of messages, that can be used in communication to support the mental and psychosocial well-being of different target groups.
Psychological counsellor Yvonne Stramiss says people have different scenarios that play in their minds, which can also contribute to how they feel as individuals.
Stramis said it, however, seems that fear is the biggest driver of people into a mental state of powerlessness.
Powerlessness leads to feelings of anxiety, panic, stress, becoming emotional because of scenarios that can play in people’s minds, overthinking and making scenarios at times bigger than they are.
“Especially with the Covid-19 pandemic, we have an overload of information coming from all directions, making it more difficult to filter through the information that can make sense to all of us,” she said.
Stramiss said there are many channels of information reaching people and it is important to filter them and follow through on what is expected to curb the spread of the virus.
“Anyone being exposed to such an influx of information can be affected, and all the information that comes has at times different value content for the same thing, which can add to the confusion. This can also be worsened by ignorance on how to keep our minds from overthinking and getting hyped up,” she advised.
She added that it is better to look for authentic sources of information sharing and ignore all the others that at times add to the anxiety and panic, and go about your daily routine.
Psychology student Nashya Dunaiski told The Namibian this week that the Covid-19 pandemic has been especially triggering anxiety in her and to combat that, she has been engaging in mindfulness meditation, going for 20 minute walks almost daily, and taking herbal anti-anxiety supplements.
“I have been taking time to connect and bond with friends and family on a deeper level, as I believe relationship building is so healing,” she said.
She said people are not only anxious because of the pandemic which has affected so many aspects of their personal lives, but they also carry the collective angst of the entire world.
“In my opinion, confinement is not beneficial to one’s mental health. It has been emotionally draining for me because I wonder what is going to happen if we cannot flatten the curve. It causes me to ask what happens to those who don’t have access to the internet, information, commodities like soap and clean water; what will happen to those who are especially economically affected by this pandemic?” she said.
Dunaiski described herself as an ambivert but leaning more towards the introvert side of the spectrum. Although she is used to staying at home in a safe space, she said there is something harrowing about not being able to wake up in the morning and going to work, school or class.
“It slightly affects my sense of purpose, which plays a huge part in any one’s mental health,” she said.
Due to the lockdown, her university has been conducting classes online and making everything accessible at a zero-data rated resource.
“This means more students can access the university’s resources without cost. I love school, however, I still get lazy. To keep motivated I write motivational notes and messages and paste them on my wall. I keep in touch with colleagues and peers who can keep me accountable for staying on task and I make sure to take breaks and rest to check in with myself and my mental-emotional health,” she said.
Clinical psychologist Shaun Whittaker encouraged Namibians in quarantine to maintain a daily routine.
“People usually become depressed when they have an unstructured day, and it is therefore crucial to keep some routine of getting up and sticking to meal times. If possible, people should exercise at least 30 minutes per day,” he said.
Whittaker said this quarantine is an opportunity to live healthy in the sense of sleeping enough, and if possible to increase nutritious substances such as lemons and ginger which could enhance the immune system.
“We would encourage family members to share household chores; this helps boys to be more mature.
Family members could do chores together to enhance their emotional bonds. Likewise, neighbours should communicate more through, for instance, text messages, and share necessities if they have to and provide emotional support to each other,” he said. Whittaker warned that if a family member or friend shows a huge change in behaviour the others should be worried, for example, if someone looks sad or does not want to eat or only stays in bed.
“Remember it is necessary to say you are concerned and that you are available if they need to speak to someone. Or try to draw them into fun activities at home. Play cards or snakes-and-ladders with the children. Get them away from the television and phones, and avoid information overload,” he said.
