And what about your mental health?
EVEN before we had ever heard of COVID-19, we were already in the middle of a mental health crisis. As of 2018, Ireland had one of the highest rates of mental health related illness in Europe costing the economy over € 8.2 billion annually (OECD).
A recent report published in The Lancet , the prestigious medical journal said the mental health effects of COVID-19 could ‘exceed the consequences of the epidemic itself ’.
While we are seeing many positives in how people triumph in adversity, and have a new sense of appreciation of what is most important in life, there are challenges that must be looked at seriously at all levels and addressed in the short, medium and long-term.
Long periods of physical distancing, cocooning, isolation, loss of loved ones, reduced support, the loss of employment (and or business), financial woes, general uncertainty, and the rapid change to our routines as we adjust to a new normal all have their part in accelerating mental health challenges.
While remote working solves many problems it causes others that can take time to work through – particularly as it has been introduced so quickly for many.
And just as we have been called to make big changes to halt the spread of the virus and address public health considerations, equally, we also need to take steps to take care of our mental health (and of those around us).
Prior to COVID, some 18.5 per cent of the Irish population was recorded as having a mental health disorder, ranging from anxiety to bipolar, schizophrenia, depression, or alcohol or drug abuse. ‘ There’s a definite increase in the level of anxiety and people feeling stressed, and it’s palpable,” said Ms Austin of Pieta House. ‘We’ve seen that come through on the website, the helpline and the text’.
ROUTINE, CHANGE AND STRESS
Most of us are out of routine. Some people I know are working at least 30 percent more than before. Many of those working in healthcare, supermarkets, pharma, and food production are doing extra shifts. Others are doing a fraction of what they were doing before.
Both situations cause stress and when people are stressed, they often resort to unhealthy habits to survive the situation. For some that relates to food, others alcohol, or drugs or even a combination or other unresourceful behaviours. ‘
Half of adults in Ireland use alcohol as a way to cope with stress, anxiety or to cheer themselves up’. Drinking to cope with these feelings is likely to have the opposite effect. It will not help to make you feel better and can contribute to the development of new problems.’ www.drinkaware.ie website
WHAT CAN I DO?
The most important thing for each of us is to take care of our mental health as part of the process. This involves creating routines that suit our new lifestyle – related to food, exercise, sleep, relaxation, connecting with others – and make us feel good.
Meditation helps. Strengthening your resilience – your ability to bounce back after difficulties is key. Keep the less healthy habits in check. Ask for help if you need it.
‘From our (Pieta House) perspective the most important thing is staying connected to others– it’s really important that nobody feels alone. If you feel that you need to talk to someone, lift the phone. It’s really, really important.” Ms Austin
New guidance from the HSE offers a lot of support around: ‘ mental health, cocooning, coping at home’..‘ keeping a routine, sleep, keeping physically active, trying to eat well, trying to switch off and most importantly, staying connected to others.’
https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/together/
Calodagh McCumiskey designs and delivers bespoke wellbeing at work programmes to grow people and companies. She also offers regular meditation classes, personal development workshops and wellbeing consultations to help people thrive
053 9140655 | info@spiritualearth.com | www.spiritualearth.com