Mental Health / Psychological wellbeing

The fact that Covid- 19 is a disease that threatens a persons life, is enough to cause fear, panic, depression, anxiety and other problems.

Anxiety and fear come when we feel that we do not have adequate resources to cope with whatever life challenges or issues that could be threatening our lives. So Covid-19 becomes an issue because

1. No one really knows the origins of the disease. There is a lot of speculation and conspiracy theories about it being created in a lab to kill people etc
2. No one can trace its origins, we also don’t know how it is spread- if it’s airborn etc
3 There is no cure for it and we don’t know when one will be found
4. No significant data on re- infection etc

There is a lot therefore that we are not fully aware off and that we have to discover. This brings uncertainty which causes anxiety fear and panic.
Stigma & discrimination
Panic and fear then fuels stigma and discrimination of those that test positive. Much like the times when HIV began and people had so many definitions, myths and misconceptions about it.

There is a very thin line between self protection and stigma. So we can expect that when people find out that a contact or family member has Covid-19, they will panic. It is in this panic thay people do and say things that can be stigmatizing. It’s normal to worry but if that worry causes us to attack a person, refuse to talk to them even when they are wearing a mask and we are wearing one, asking people to leave or leaving ourselves without talking about our fears and concerns might result in people feeling stigmatized or discriminated aganist. There are cases were families have asked their children to leave the house because they tested positive for Covid. Other communities are beating people up and driving them out of the community because they have tested positive. This will make it difficult for people to disclose that they are infected in the future. Which will mean that people will not isolate themselves fearing that people will discover that they are positive for Covid-19. This will result in an increase in the spread of the virus in the community.

Common Mental health conditions

As our minds are affected by fear of getting infected by Covid-19, we can develop common mental health conditions. These include but are not limited to:

1 Anxiety – always worrying about things, being restless and keyed up, always irritable and tense, failing to concentrate and having difficulties sleeping. Anxiety and fear can be paralyzing and affect all aspects of a person’s life.

2. Depression – Sadness, not enjoying or having pleasure in things we like, difficulties sleeping or sleeping to much, loss of appetite or binge eating, fatigue or always being tired, hopelessness, worthlessness, difficulties concentrating , suicidal thoughts

3. Panic Attacks: difficulties breathing, feeling tense, chest pains, sweating, feeling hot & cold, pins and needles, dizziness & collapsing or passing out, vomiting, stomach pains etc. Some of these signs are similar to Covid -19 symptoms and having them might increase a person’s anxiety about being infected.This will heighten their fear and panic and make their symptoms worse.

4. Substance abuse: This can increase especially if a person does not have other coping strategies that they can use. So using any substance more than we intended, increasing quantities, trying to cut down but failing, getting into trouble with the law because of substance e.g. drunk driving/ accidents. Problems with family & also failing to fulfil roles at home, work, school etc are signs that there is a problem. There is an increase in substance use
as a way of coping with stress or self medicating when one is experiencing anxiety, depression on other challenges. This increases or makes our physical and mental health circumstances worse and not better.

Impact of Isolation & Re-intergration on mental health

Covid -19 and isolation is very hard on a person’s mental health. Imagine not being able to leave your room, talk to family, watch TV, eat with others etc. So stigma and discrimination makes this situation worse. Also stigma can come up when someone has finished their days in isolation and people keep asking them if they are well enough to be outside” wapora here? Things also can become worse when people insinuate that a person, although they have finished their isolation period, is still infectious ” uchatizadza” etc . Another issue is telling everyone that someone has got Covid or had it which might be humiliating particularly in public places etc. This will make those around the person start looking at them funny or even start waking away from them as if they have the plague or something. So it is very important to be sensitive about what we say, how we ask etc. Most people are not being affected physically by Covid but they are being heavily affected mentally because of stigma and discrimination. So some are afraid of going back to work or even going to the shops because of what people might say or do

Our Vulnerability

When predators are hunting they look for the one who is alone, injured and vulnerable. Without our usual support systems we are vulnerable. That’s why isolation when a person tests positive is difficult to bear and makes us vulnerable to mental health challenges. Also that’s why stigma hurts so much when a person reaches out to connect and to get support then people reject them or treat them badly. We might be in lockdown but let us never be isolated. Renewal encourage you to share whatever challenges you might be facing so that we stand together and support each other . It might not be Covid related but other challenges that we might be facing, there are trained and highly skilled practioners that are available to support you.