An Opinion Piece by Allison Rossell
Okay, so let’s talk about the theoretical likelihood of the outcomes of COVID-19’s effect of peoples’ general mental well-being.
“Historically, we know that pandemics and other public health crises, much like natural disasters, have a lasting impact,” said Itai Danovitch, MD, chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences.
A common opinion that was formed from with Calhoun’s student body is that it will most likely have a negative effect on mental wellness and mental illness in the near future.
One Calhoun student, Jada Love stated, “If we are speaking in general, I think a lot of people have been very negatively affected by it. I know a few people personally who I have witnessed that has been traumatized.”
There have been several students who reported an, “increase in anxiety” , “higher levels of stress”, and “increased paranoia”. The turbulence caused by the pandemic was by far more than just physical in nature.
Now by chance, the positive outcomes this pandemic has had on society might include increased sanitation, safer food service, or possibly better at-home practices in the family. This is not to undermine the degree that COVID has taken its toll on people all around the world. This is just to show how society can evolve by changing social practices and improving our quality of health by doing so.
What people have witnessed since the pandemic began is many people are isolated and away from loved ones. There has been an increase in alcohol and substance abuse. A year ago now, this pandemic cast its shadow across the earth. We have lived under this darken state long enough to cause long-term effect on society as a whole for many years to come.
The coronavirus pandemic will have a lasting impact on our mental health, Cedars-Sinai experts say, “Practice self-care and be of service to others to prevent long-term negative effects.”
More than ever it is more important to tend to your mental health needs. Take the time to tend to your needs. Try to practice mindfulness and gratitude for what you have in your everyday life. Learn to live and let live, and strive to be the best version of yourself you deserve to be. We can combat the effect of the pandemic by learning to love ourselves: and more now than ever; by listening to our mind’s and body’s needs.