How a Covid case can affect mental health
WHILE chairing a virtual trans-Atlantic research consortium, an SMS indicating “You were near someone who has shared their positive diagnosis. You were near this person on the 27th May 2021” flashed across my screen.
My breast cancer remission status instantaneously gripped me with the fear of being infected with Sars-CoV-2. My brain was no longer in attendance at the meeting; the traumatic news left me unable to focus. It is likely that I was experiencing high levels of anxiety and a panic attack of sorts.
I proceeded with the virtual meeting; turning off my camera was the only way I knew how to camouflage my anxiety. I paused to consider why I hid my news and related anxiety. The text message left me exhausted and to be honest, unable to eat or sleep for days.
Over the next two days, the work began accumulating. I had no choice, so I tried to ignore my anxiety and panic by working tirelessly, without any healthy sleep or exercise routine. Sleep patterns and exercise routines have a significant impact on well-being, and mental health.
My panic and fear is rooted in the tragic deaths of South Africans Zindzi Mandela, Professor Vishnu Padayachee, Minister Jackson Mthembu, Roopie Bugwandeen, Omi Nair, Jabu Mabuza, Satish Dhupelia, Professor Yusuf Karodia and Karima Brown.
The frequency of death has exposed the frailty of human life. On June 17, South African data indicated 58 323 Sars-CoV-2 deaths and global statistics revealed 3 858 704. Each death saw a family member, friend, colleague, brother, sister, child, parent and community mourn the loss of a life.
The frequency of death, and physical distancing in particular has seemingly desensitised individuals and communities to its tragedy and finality. Durkheim emphasised the significance of mourning rituals in maintaining and sustaining social order. Sars-CoV2 safety protocols impose limitations on how we mourn and offer support to significant others, which is a formula for anomie.
Notwithstanding the authentic scientific knowledge that fortifies SarsCoV-2 safety protocols, the disruption to mourning adversely impacts human emotions and long-term post-pandemic resilience, renewal and mental health experiences.
Operationalising physical distancing and physical alienation, the SarsCoV-2 safety protocol has resulted in an escalating number of clinical diagnoses and treatment for anxiety, stress, burnout and depression. The Sars-CoV-2 lockdown protocol has exacerbated hunger, self-harm, child trafficking, unemployment, gender and sexual violence, child abuse, substance abuse and suicide rates.
It has altered personal and community circumstances across the globe. While travel restrictions may have slowed child trafficking, increases in gender-based violence and child abuse have been of great concern.
Physical human contact produces neurochemical and hormonal changes in the body and the long-term impact of its absence has not yet been understood. Isolation and physical distancing have been identified as normative and conventional responses to mitigate the proliferation and mutation of the deadly Sars-CoV-2 virus.
To lead innovation and change, an inter-disciplinary trans-Atlantic team of women scholars has been assembled to conduct research on Sars-CoV-2 mental health and well-being with an emphasis on resilience and recovery.
The critical cautioning for future research is the essential need to develop prevention strategies, recovery systems and renewal initiatives between the global North-South. The contestations must focus on pandemic resilience, renewal and recovery of society.