Mental Health & Self Care – Special Daily Routines (Covid Edition) PART ONE
- Dr, PHEW!
- Aug 6, 2021
- 4 min read
In another few months, the Covid-19 pandemic will be reaching its 2nd anniversary. Though, that doesn’t mean that we are currently anywhere near the end of this pandemic. Across the world, lockdown restrictions have been lifted and reinforced again and again, as new cases starting to rise due to a new variant being set loose in the community. Our world has suffered a 360-degree change, where the students ranging from elementary to universities have moved towards virtual learning platforms, while the working adults have implemented new ways of working – working from home.
All of these changes placed a huge toll on our physical health, as most of us are now stuck at home and not being able to go to the gym or exercise in the parks or botanical gardens. Not to mention, social interactions are now forbidden, weeks turn into months, and eventually, we will experience a new form of loneliness, the Covid edition that is. Not only our physical health has been threatened due to the virus being almost everywhere around us, but our mental health is in jeopardy as well.
The following statistics of the Malaysian population were extracted from the journal, “Escalating progression of mental health disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic: Evidence from a nationwide survey” written by Li Ping Wong, Haridah Alias, Afiqah Alyaa Md Fuzi, Intan Sofia Omar, Azmawaty Mohamad Nor, Maw Pin Tan, Diana Lea Baranovich, Che Zarrina Saari, Sareena Hanim Hamzah, Ku Wing Cheong, Chiew Hwa Poon, Vimala Ramoo, Chong Chin Che, Kyaimon Myint, Suria Zainuddin, and Ivy Chung.
Since the first nationwide movement control order was implemented on 18 March 2020 in Malaysia to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, to what extent the uncertainty and continuous containment measures have imposed psychological burdens on the population is unknown. This study aimed to measure the level of mental health of the Malaysian public approximately 2 months after the pandemic’s onset.
Between 12 May and 5 September 2020, an anonymous online survey was conducted. The target group included all members of the Malaysian population aged 18 years and above. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) was used to assess mental health. There were increased depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms throughout the study period, with the depression rates showing the greatest increase.
During the end of the data collection period (4 August–5 September 2020), there were high percentages of reported depressive (59.2%) and anxiety (55.1%) symptoms compared with stress (30.6%) symptoms.
Perceived health status was the strongest significant predictor for depressive and anxiety symptoms. Individuals with a poorer health perception had higher odds of developing depression (odds ratio [OR] = 5.68; 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.81–8.47) and anxiety (OR = 3.50; 95%CI 2.37–5.17) compared with those with a higher health perception.
By demographics, young people–particularly students, females, and people with poor financial conditions–were more vulnerable to mental health symptoms.
Now, let’s take a look at what is happening in the United States!
The following statistics of the US population were extracted from the article “The Implications of COVID-19 for Mental Health and Substance Use” written by Nirmita Panchal, Rabah Kamal, Cynthia Cox, and Rachel Garfield.
During the pandemic, about 4 in 10 adults in the U.S. have reported symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorder, a share that has been largely consistent, up from one in ten adults who reported these symptoms from January to June 2019. A KFF Health Tracking Poll from July 2020 also found that many adults are reporting specific negative impacts on their mental health and well-being, such as difficulty sleeping (36%) or eating (32%), increases in alcohol consumption or substance use (12%), and worsening chronic conditions (12%), due to worry and stress over the coronavirus.
During the pandemic, a larger than average share of young adults (ages 18-24) report symptoms of anxiety and/or depressive disorder (56%). Compared to all adults, young adults are more likely to report substance use (25% vs. 13%) and suicidal thoughts (26% vs. 11%). Prior to the pandemic, young adults were already at high risk of poor mental health and substance use disorder, though many did not receive treatment.
During the pandemic, adults in households with job loss or lower incomes report higher rates of symptoms of mental illness than those without job or income loss (53% vs. 32%). Research during the pandemic points to concerns around poor mental health and well-being for children and their parents, particularly mothers, as many are experiencing challenges with school closures and lack of childcare. Women with children are more likely to report symptoms of anxiety and/or depressive disorder than men with children (49% vs. 40%). In general, both prior to, and during, the pandemic, women have reported higher rates of anxiety and depression compared to men. Many essential workers continue to face a number of challenges, including a greater risk of contracting the coronavirus than other workers. Compared to nonessential workers, essential workers are more likely to report symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorder (42% vs. 30%), starting or increasing substance use (25% vs. 11%), and suicidal thoughts (22% vs. 8%) during the pandemic.
Our lives will inevitably be intertwined with the Covid Norm a little longer than we desired, but it doesn’t mean we should leave our mental health in its current state.
It may be hard, but it doesn’t mean we can’t do something about it!
Stay tuned for PART TWO!
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