These are unprecedented times. There has not been a global pandemic in 102 years and people understandably have anxiety about jobs, security and themselves. A recent Global News article by Jane Gerster looked at an Ipsos poll that showed that should they lose their jobs because of the Covid crisis, close to 40 percent of Canadians younger than 55 years of age had seven days or less of savings to carry on.
The profound stress and anxiety of these times is being discussed in Great Britain where twenty-four mental health leaders have banded together in the Lancet Psychiatry Journal asking for “urgent” research on the impact of this crisis on mental health.
“Increased social isolation, loneliness, health anxiety, stress and an economic downturn are a perfect storm to harm people’s mental health and wellbeing,” said Prof Rory O’Connor, one of the paper’s authors, from the University of Glasgow.”
Priorities are to address anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns. Two British online surveys show that people are concerned with finding supportive services, during the Covid crisis. Another survey found concerns “about the effects of social isolation and financial difficulties created by the response to the crisis.”
The Lancet article discusses the fact the SARS epidemic 17 years ago, there was an increase in suicide by seniors of thirty percent. You can read the article here that identifies the eight most vulnerable groups, which includes society in general because of “increased health inequality and a rise in the use of food banks”.
Survey respondents were also asked what is helping people’s mental health and well being.
Their responses:
-staying connected with friends and family, often online
-keeping busy with hobbies, crafts, reading, films and home improvements
=physical activity, such as walking, running and exercise classes
=staying calm, thanks to mindfulness, meditation, prayer or pets
information intake – managing access to news and social media
and maintaining routine by having a daily plan.”
Images: Sandy James & Vancouver Sun
