Mental health concerns and treatment usually take a backseat when the limited resources are geared
for pandemic containment. History suggests that any infectious disease outbreak or pandemic brings
with itself a major setback in the mental health front In this global humanitarian crisis of the COVID-19
pandemic, mental health issues have been reported from all over the world.
Pandemic has caused everyone disturbance. This has been a worldy issue that no one can prevent or
stop from spreading. Covid 19 is a very contagious disease that transmits speedily through saliva or any
kinds of body fluids. Many had suffered from this kind of virus and many have been worrying everyday
too. This pandemic have caused each one of us anxieties and other mental disorders. We are pre
occupied to always keep ourselves healthy and away from this virus, in which we have come to the point
that we became too greedy of hoarding things just to be at ease with our own safety. Thats the reason
why others became too selfish while the others left empty handed and have nothing to do about it.
The factors that I have suspected and listed in my studies are based on the psycological and social
aspects causing mental health illness. Psychologically, regarding older people and also those with
underlying health conditions, having been identified as more vulnerable to COVID-19, and to be told that
you are very vulnerable, can be extremely frightening and very fear-inducing. These impacts for these
populations can include anxiety and feeling stressed or angry. Its impacts can be particularly difficult for
older people who may be experiencing cognitive decline or dementia. And some older people may
already be socially isolated and experiencing loneliness which can worsen mental health.
On the other hand, we all have attitudes and judgments that affect how we think about and behave
toward others. Discrimination and fear of social isolation due to social distancing worsened by the
effects of strict rules of lockdown could add to the cause of their vulnerability. The resulting emotional
responses, leading to triggering, relapse or worsening of pre-existing mental health conditions could be
another result of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Wandering mentally ill people are at major risk
of contracting illness secondary to compromised immune status. Relapse and exacerbation of severe
mental health conditions secondary to lockdown and unavailability of psychotropics in rural pharmacies
can also pose a hurdle to the health care system.
The mental health issues of sufferers of an epidemic, frontline health workers and the social and
psychological impact on society at large show notable result of prejudice and discrimination among us
all. However, the scale and impact of COVID‐19, the duration and the uncertainty of future progress has
led to an intensity of effects. The rapid spread of COVID‐19 is as much an effect of the biology of the
virus as it is testimony to the close interconnections in international travel and levels of immigration. At
the same time, the impact on the global economy shows the intricate way in which the human race is
interdependent and connected through its various communities, institutions and global infrastructure.
While the health system struggles to save millions of lives daily, there is probably a risk of a looming
pandemic of hidden mental health issues which has a huge potential of shattering the existing mental
health infrastructure. To handle the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the mental health of the
people needs to be handled hand in hand and given equal importance along with other strategies to
manage and control the disease and the pandemic at large. There is a definite need for specialized
psychological intervention and proper and consistent risk communication and crisis communication. An
updated, timely, uncomplicated guidelines should be put forth in order to avoid confusion and anxiety
among the people. Hence, keeping a positive approach, effective communication strategies and
understanding the problem statement, will help in dealing with the mental health issues faced by the
world in this hour of crisis. Since the research for a vaccine and cure continue unabated and our
knowledge of COVID‐19 grows, it is also a time to take a step back and look at what we already know of
mental health and social impacts of pandemics, especially novel viral pandemics, and put that
knowledge to work. There is undoubtable evidence that a novel illness such as COVID‐19 can cause
widespread fear, panic, anxiety and xenophobia. There are notable concerns about the rise of violence
at a time of social distancing, unemployment and widespread financial volatility.
While research for biological prevention and cure continues, the focus on psychological and social
impacts, and their interventions should not be neglected.
