Minding mental health an
AS SOCIAL INTERACTIONS ARE LIMITED AMID THE PANDEMIC, FEELING
Christmas is around the corner and after weeks of being apart from our loved ones a temporary lifting of some restrictions will allow families to meet during the festive season.
It is a welcome move after our social interactions were limited in what would otherwise be a season of parties. Given the current circumstances around the coronavirus pandemic, it is not unusual to feel worried, anxious, bored or lonely.
Registrar at the Royal Collegee ofof Psy-Psychiatrists, Dr Trudi Seneviratne,, toldtold Eastern Eye, “It is important for ourour mental health that we connect with other people, especially people whom we are close to and who we can talk to about our feelings.
“However, because of the pandemic we need to find new ways of socialising using technology, for example, phone calls or video calls. We might not all be able to meet face to face, but we can still connect in other ways, and there are real benefits for our mental health from this.”
According to Dr Seneviratne, thethe pandemic has affected all our livesves and many people will have experiencederienced higher levels of stress and anxiety.ety.
“People may fear catching the virus or transmitting it to a loved one, or they may be anxious about the impact on their finances. Feelings of loneliness and isolation are also likely because of being unable to see family or friends. On top of this, people may have been unable to exercise or get outside as much.”
For many of us, feeling low or being anxious are temporary and will pass.
However, if your mental health is affecting your daily life or you’re struggling to cope withwith anxietyanxiety oror depression, then there is help available.available.
Dr Seneviratne said, “It is importantmportant that people take notice of how theythey are feeling and think about posi-itive changes they can make in their routine. Your mental health is closely related to your physical health, so things like getting enough sleep, eating healthy and exercising regularly can really help improve our overall wellbeing. If you experience feelings of anxiety or depression and are struggling to cope with these, then you should speak to your GP or self-refer yourself to NHS mental health services.”
GPs can recommend Talkingg Therapies. It helps treat commonon mental health problems such ass anxiety,anxiety, including panic disorder, post-traumatictraumatic stressstress disorder (PTSD) and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) among others, as well as depression.
Talking Therapies services (nhs.uk/talk) are available throughout the pandemic and therapies are delivered through a digital platform or over the phone, allowing people to stay in contact and get support more flexibly.
If you feel you cannot wait to speak to your doctor or feel unable to cope or to keep yourself safe, it’s important to get support. Services are open during the coronavirus pandemic. NHS urgent mental health helplines are available for people of all ages in England. You can call for 24-hour advice and support for you, your child, youryour parentparent oror someone you care for. The lineslines offeroffer helph to speak to a mental healthhealth pprofessional and offer an assessmentasses to help decide on thethe best course of care.
Among some Asian families,li there can at times be a reluctance to seek help for mental illnesses due to a sense of shame and stigma that the community will “look down upon” individuals seen to be experiencing mental ill health, said professor Dinesh Bhugra, emeritus professorp of mental health andan cultural diversity at the InstituteIns of Psychiatry, Psychologycholo and Neuroscience at King’sKing’s CCollege London. DrDr SeneviratneSene concurred, saying, ““ThisThis isis anan enormouseno conversation. Being from an Asian background, I recognise how taboo discussions about mental health are within families. There is stigma, shame and hiding of mental health issues. We need to tackle this stigma so that individuals can seek help much more proactively for themselves and their families. Importantly, we need to shift the culture so that families are able to discuss this more among themselves and friends as this is the most important source of support.” MarcelMarcel Vige,Vige, headhe of equality improvementment atat mentalmen health charity Mind, said,said, ““WeWe know there is still widespreadspread stigma around mental heaalth,lth, which can be particularly truetru for people from south AsianA communities. People ofteno tell us that the strong sense of community and importance placed on family can be positive for their mental health, but some people tell us the need to preserve the family’s reputation and status in such close-knit environments can lead themth to remain silent about theirthe own feelings. ““EveryoneE deserves access toto thethe right support when needed.needed. Culturally appropriate servicesservices areare vital so that we can make suresure thatthat everyoeveryone gets the right support when needed. This will help reduce the number of people entering support services when they are at crisis point.”
Among families where parents are caring for young
(inset left) (inset below)
children and elderly grandparents in the same home, Dr Seneviratne said it’s vital that within the family, “people feel able to ask for help and talk about their stress or mental health issues. It’s also important that they can ask for help from the wider network of health and social care professions, without feeling embarrassed.”
Professor Bhugra noted that street-wide app groups have sprung up and neighbours are keeping an eye on vulnerable people.
“Those who live alone – whether by themselves or as a couple – may well need support for shopping, transport to hospital and appointments. In such instances, using phones, the internet or video contact can help reduce loneliness,” he said.
In addition, many Asian charities and gurdwaras are offering cooked meals to vulnerable people. “Asian communities are very aware and respectful of elders and the phenomenon is called filial piety, so are likely to look out for them.”
When it comes to children, a survey in October by NHS Digital showed there has been a rise in mental health problems in children and young people during the pandemic.
Professor Prathiba Chitsabesan, NHS England associate national clinical director for children and young people’s mental health, said: “As the whole country continues to find ways to live with the pandemic, many children and young people will be experiencing a range of feelings, including anxiety, sadness and loneliness, which are understandable responses to such an uncertain and stressful situation.
“Simple steps such as getting enough sleep, talking to friends or family and ensuring your child has a simple routine can make a huge positive difference. And the NHS, children’s services, schools, colleges and the voluntary sector are working together to provide a range of support, including 24/7 crisis support lines, face-toface, telephone or digital appointments and support in schools so that issues can be identified and help offered sooner.”