For many people, the world is still temporarily closed. The ongoing nature of the pandemic has left many people psychologically and physically impacted, without restrictions in place even more so.

Covid has created unease, stress and distress

Our brains crave certainty and closure, but with no end in sight for Covid, it creates a sense of unease, stress and distress. For many, the prolonged threat affects our ability to empathise and connect with others, narrowing our focus on being able to live our lives with ease, around mental health.

There is no closure

Our brains crave certainty and closure, but with no end in sight for Covid, instead it creates a sense of unease, stress and distress. For many, the prolonged threat affects our ability to empathise and connect with others, narrowing our focus on being able to live our lives with ease, around mental health.

This is not the first disaster humans have had to live through

This is not the first disaster humans have had to live through, so are there things we can learn from other disasters about what they do to our brains, relationships and communities. There is a tremendous amount we can learn from how we’ve responded to previous emergencies. Not everyone who experiences a disaster will develop a mental health problem: people can survive trauma well, but between 5 and 10% of people who’ve been through traumatic events such as a terrorist attack will go on to develop clinical levels of PTSD according to a study from the University of Central Lancashire. There are many we may not also know about.

The Research

Research in 2022 by the Centre for Mental Health, suggests that 8 million British adults and 1.5 million children will need mental health support in the next 10 years as a direct result of the pandemic. Office for National Statistics data already shows rates of depression doubling since the pandemic began, but this impact isn’t being evenly felt, with the people who’ve been impacted the most and are continuing to feel that impact are people who had pre-existing mental health problems, people of colour, those living in deprivation and young people. (Source: theguardiancom)

Wearing a mask

Wearing a mask can be seen as a way to show care and consideration for yourself and for others. By protecting yourself, you also protect those who are still vulnerable or dealing with the aftermath of Covid. It allows individuals, who are still confined to their homes, to have the opportunity to reintegrate back into society.

Many are still talking about the pandemic

Many are still hurriedly talking about the pandemic on social media. I have also never felt so isolated, exposed and alone as Covid continues to impact our mental health and how we feel physically. It would be kind if we were honest with ourselves on just how we feel.

It is essential to acknowledge the lasting impact Covid-19 has had on individuals and to continue to show empathy and support for those who are still affected.