Homework answers / question archive / COVID-19 and Mental Health Fear, tension, and anxiety are natural reactions to real and imagined threats, as well as to uncertainties and the unpredictable (Galbraith et al

COVID-19 and Mental Health Fear, tension, and anxiety are natural reactions to real and imagined threats, as well as to uncertainties and the unpredictable (Galbraith et al

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COVID-19 and Mental Health Fear, tension, and anxiety are natural reactions to real and imagined threats, as well as to uncertainties and the unpredictable (Galbraith et al., 2021). As a result, a person's terror in the face of the COVID-19 epidemic is reasonable and acceptable. Post-traumatic depression, panic, sadness, and sleeplessness affect healthcare professionals, individuals with COVID-19 and other illnesses, adolescents, females, teenagers, and the aged (Hossain et al., 2020). In a pandemic like COVID-19, the fear of getting the virus is compounded by the huge variations to our daily life as our activities are constrained in favor of efforts to eradicate and limit the disease's transmission. Working remotely, periodic joblessness, home-schooling children, and an absence of personal interaction with other relatives, friends, and coworkers are all changing circumstances that require us to take care of our emotions as well as physical wellbeing. Identify the Issue The COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing economic downturn have had a detrimental impact on many people with mental health issues. It has established new obstacles for those who already suffer from depression or substance abuse problems. Approximately 4 in 10 American adults have experienced anxiousness or psychiatric mental disorders during the virus (Wu et al., 2020). The number has remained mostly steady, up from one in ten adults who had severe allergies from January to June 2019. Many individuals are reporting specific negative effects on their mental health and wellbeing, such as severe insomnia (36%) or lack of appetite (32%) due to stress and anxiety over the coronavirus, increase in consumption of alcohol or drug use (12%), and deteriorating health diseases (12%), according to a KFF Health Tracking Poll from July 2 2020 (Hossain et al., 2020). As the epidemic progresses, continuing and required public health actions expose many people to scenarios connected to psychological distress, such as seclusion and loss of employment. Many schools and institutions around the United States have shuttered and shifted to virtual education for at least some time to assist curb the spread of coronavirus. Parents and children are enduring constant disturbance and disruptions to their everyday schedules due to these closures (Wu et al., 2020). During the epidemic, research revealed worries about children's and caregivers' mental health and wellbeing. Many parents of school-aged children, for example, are now more anxious than they were before the outbreak about their children's mental wellbeing. Since the beginning of the virus, both parents and children have reported worsening psychological health, and mothers are more likely than males to report deteriorating psychological health (Galbraith et al., 2021). Throughout the disease outbreak, individuals in homes with kids under the age of eighteen are marginally more likely to encounter anxiety and psychotic symptoms signs than those in families lacking young children. Further, the pandemic has had a significantly negative impact on the health of racial minorities. Non-Hispanic Black people (48%) and Hispanics or Latinos adults (46%) are much more likely than non-Hispanic White people to experience anxiety and psychological distress (41 percent) (Wu et al., 2020). In the past, these minority groups have had difficulty getting psychiatric care. Furthermore, Black families have experienced unfavorable effects of the epidemic on their children ’s academic, capacity to care for the child, and family relationships more frequently than White families (Galbraith et al., 2021). Before the outbreak, Hispanics and Blacks people were far less likely than the general population to obtain essential mental health care. Suicides, which might also rise due to the epidemic, have traditionally been substantially 3 higher than the national rate in Native Communities (Wu et al., 2020). Many vital workers continue to confront difficulties, such as a higher chance of getting the viral disease than other professionals (Hossain et al., 2020). During the outbreak, key employees are more likely than non - essential workers to exhibit anxiety symptoms or psychotic disorder (42 percent vs. 30 percent), begin or increase substance usage (25 percent vs. 11 percent), and have thoughts of suicide (22 percent vs. 8 percent). Action Plan Although the COVID-19 situation is first and foremost a physical health catastrophe, it also has the potential to become a serious psychiatric problem if no action is taken. At the best of times, good mental health is essential to society's functionality (Zhai & Du, 2020). It must be at the forefront of each country's reaction to and recovery from the pandemic of COVID-19. This problem has had a significant influence on the mental health and wellbeing of the entire community, and it is a priority that must be addressed immediately. To encourage, support, and maintain psychological health, a whole-of-society strategy must be used (Zhai & Du, 2020). Psychological health and psychological aspects should be included in state strategic responses across key sectors, such as learning activities and compassionate settings for restricted children and adolescents in the household. Moreover, respond promptly to disease outbreak stressors known to affect psychological health, such as domestic abuse and extreme poverty (Zhai & Du, 2020). Furthermore, structure all interactions to be mindful of their potential effect on people's mental health, for instance, by expressing empathy for people's anguish and giving guidance for their mental health. 4 Additionally, ensure that urgent psychological health and psychiatric help is available to everyone. Support community initiatives that improve social cohesiveness and minimize isolation, such as activities that link solitary older persons (Zhai & Du, 2020). Also, Engage in virtual psychological health therapies as well, such as reliable tele-counseling for primary healthcare personnel and those at home suffering from despair and stress. Ensure uninterrupted in-person care for severe mental health conditions by formally defining such care as essential services to be continued throughout the pandemic (Talevi et al., 2020). Protect and promote the human rights of people with severe mental health conditions, for example, by monitoring whether they have equal access to care for COVID-19. Furthermore, inspire covid-19 recovery by creating mental health treatment for the coming years. Use the present surge of interest in psychological health to stimulate psychiatric changes, such as training and empowering community workers to give support (Pfefferbaum & North, 2020). Also, establish communitybased activities that protect and enhance fundamental human rights, such as integrating people with personal experiences in services marketing, execution, and supervision. Significance to Nurses The outbreak has struck the nursing profession at a time when employees are already dealing with severe stress, psychological issues, and exhaustion. A recent report from Galbraith et al. (2021) highlighted the enormous demand for nurses and how this impacts their mental health. The research, prepared before the outbreak, demonstrates that work-related anxiety was causing lengthy and significant mental issues among caregivers. Nurses' mental health is being jeopardized by their current working environment (Pfefferbaum & North, 2020). Workplace variables such as job stress, bullying, insufficient support, and emotional exhaustion significantly impact nurses' mental health and ability to provide increased services to individuals. Job balance 5 is often unsatisfactory among physicians and is a major source of stress. Longer schedules can be detrimental to their mental health, wellness, and career satisfaction, as well as restricting possibilities for rest and rehabilitation (Talevi et al., 2020). Sufficient possibilities for mental and physical recovery from work are critical to ensuring the health and optimum work performance. Noteworthy, all nurses are responsible for promoting positive mental health to prevent difficulties and support families suffering from a mental disorder (Galbraith et al., 2021). Mental health nurses support and treat persons who have been diagnosed with a mental disorder in several settings (Pfefferbaum & North, 2020). Nurses may improve mental health in the same way that they can promote overall health by developing positive communication with clients, supporting healthy behaviors, and recognizing and treating clinical symptoms early (Zhai & Du, 2020). Mental health professionals also have an advanced understanding of the examination, evaluation, and management of psychiatric diseases, which allows them to provide specialized treatment (Talevi et al., 2020). They typically work in a healthcare team with other medical professionals to provide the best clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction. Raising Awareness Strategies to promote mental health increase overall wellbeing and are offered in contexts where individuals live, work, study, and prosper during the hard times of COVID-19 (Pfefferbaum & North, 2020). These include psychological health programs in schools and workplaces, childhood development interventions, social work, community participation, empowering women, anti-discrimination initiatives, and other initiatives tackling social variables of mental wellbeing. To have the greatest impact, mental health promotion initiatives must be tightly integrated with mental health treatment and involve a wide range of health and non-health sectors (Cullen et al., 2020). First, plan a mental health assessment event amid the pandemic 6 crisis. Organizing an event or requesting that psychological health screening be included in a community health fair might motivate individuals to participate in improving their mental wellness (Pfefferbaum & North, 2020). Further, educate everything you can about mental illness. It is not unusual for people to have misconceptions about the psychiatric condition. Learn more about it and share your findings. This involves discussing psychological health with youngsters in age-appropriate language. Children are not immune to mental illness and might develop psychological distress and stress as early as kindergarten (Zhai & Du, 2020). Platforms like Facebook and Twitter can also be used to raise awareness and reduce mental health cases during the pandemic (Cullen et al., 2020). The forums can inspire people to be open-minded and interested when it comes to mental illness. Also, encourage overall fitness as a means of supporting mental health during COVID-19. Assist people in understanding that general health has a direct effect on mental health. Eating well, doing plenty of exercises, and getting enough sleep to contribute to a person's psychological and emotional wellbeing. As well, engage with everyone you know. Almost everyone has been affected by the pandemic and is suffering in silence. Inquire about family, friends, and coworkers' wellbeing and pay close attention to their responses. If they show signs of being depressed or stressed, inform them that there are options available to assist them. If you suspect they are contemplating selfharm or suicide, encourage them to seek treatment quickly and aid them as needed. 7 References Cullen, W., Gulati, G., & Kelly, B. D. (2020). Mental health in the COVID-19 pandemic. QJM: An International Journal of Medicine, 113(5), 311-312. Galbraith, N., Boyda, D., McFeeters, D., & Hassan, T. (2021). The mental health of doctors during the COVID-19 pandemic. BJPsych Bulletin, 45(2), 93-97. Hossain, M. M., Tasnim, S., Sultana, A., Faizah, F., Mazumder, H., & Zou, L. & Ma, P.(2020). Epidemiology of mental health problems in COVID-19: A review. Pfefferbaum, B., & North, C. S. (2020). Mental health and the Covid-19 pandemic. New England Journal of Medicine, 383(6), 510-512. Talevi, D., Socci, V., Carai, M., Carnaghi, G., Faleri, S., Trebbi, E., ... & Pacitti, F. (2020). Mental health outcomes of the CoViD-19 pandemic. Rivista di psichiatria, 55(3), 137144. Wu, T., Jia, X., Shi, H., Niu, J., Yin, X., Xie, J., & Wang, X. (2020). Prevalence of mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and metaanalysis. Journal of affective disorders. Zhai, Y., & Du, X. (2020). Addressing collegiate mental health amid COVID-19 pandemic. Psychiatry Research, 288, 113003.