View of MENTAL HEALTH MANAGEMENT: THE MOST ESSENTIAL ASSET TO POSSESS DURING THE MENTAL PANDEMIC TIMES

(1)

VOLUME: 08, SPECIAL ISSUE 05, (IC-MTSBEMET-2021), Paper id-IJIERM-VIII-V, July 2021

16

MENTAL HEALTH MANAGEMENT: THE MOST ESSENTIAL ASSET TO POSSESS DURING THE MENTAL PANDEMIC TIMES

Danisha Pal

Student of MBA, School of Social Sciences, DAVV, Indore (M.P.) Nikita Pal

Assistant Professor, School of Law, Renaissance University, Indore (M.P.)

Abstract - The biggest asset that one can possess is a sound mental health, as it because of it that he finds the courage to fight his challenges, e4ncourages his mind into achieving what he desires and for accepting the consequences that he has to bear. The sudden outbreak of the deadly virus of Coved – 19 brought with it the biggest challenges across a variety of aspects-economically, physically, socially, politically and mentally. The other challenges can be dealt with, later in life or are out of man‘s control; but a deteriorating mental health is something that has the ability to make us the weakest of being.

A good mental health can lift us from all the other challenges simply by keeping us positive and firm on our own potentials. It keeps the hope alive, which in today‘s scenario is the only thing that the world is holding on to. It, therefore, becomes of utmost importance to take very good care of our mental beings during the tough times.

In this paper, the analysis of the effects of pandemic on the mental health of people is carried out to highlight the importance of mental well-being. The paper serves a dual purpose of informing about how the pandemic affected the lives of people mentally, and of creating an awareness among the readers to keep strong on their psychological levels even if the conditions seem highly distressful.

Keywords: Covid-19, mental health, mental well-being, asset, challenges.

1-INTRODUCTION

The recent years have shown the world how uncertain life could be. The sudden outbreak of the SARS-Cov-2 virus, most commonly known as the Covid-19 virus, not only brought the entire planet on its toes, but also shook the mankind to the core. Surrounded by the threats of the infection of the virus, being isolated from the loved ones, feeling helpless due to the insufficient availability of the life-saving resources and, most of all the fear of losing our loved ones; the past months have been nothing but the harshest of all. The concept of

―new-normal‖ establishes that things have changed, lifestyles have changed. It is quite obvious human beings to feel anxious and insecure amidst the changing environment.

Undoubtedly, the only constant thing in life is the change itself. However, it is not easy for our hearts and mind to cope with such rapid changes. We need time to habituate with them at a pace that gradually fits our system. Therefore, with all the challenges that we witnessed in the recent past, all being lined up one after the other, didn‘t leave time for us to adjust to them. Instead, people had to juggle with their issues all at once.

In the case of outbreaks of infectious disease like Covid-19, there is a void of clarity regarding its cause and progression. This results in growing rumors, panic and eventually close-minded attitudes. The panic was limited only to the fear of contracting virus, but also due to the acts of discrimination that significantly grew because of it. The local streets in India witnessed people undertaking ‗panic shopping‘ of groceries and other materials on the news of national lockdown. The panic shopping saw shops overcrowded, ironically, it is at these places where the physical distancing is a must to be followed.

Fear of the unknown, in this case, the spread of the disease and the impact on people, health, hospitals, and economies, for example, raises anxiety in healthy individuals as well as those with pre existing mental health conditions (Rubin & Wessel 2020).Fear of the unknown is what grows to become a phobia, anxiety and/or depression. It is hence, evident that not merely the disease, but also the changed situations have emerged as a cause of the deteriorating mental health during the pandemic times. Those who contracted the virus, feared its inevitable effects and death. Those closer to them were anxious about their well-being and were in constant fear of losing them. Some even lost their near ones

(2)

17

and were left heartbroken. The world saw many younger individuals struggling for their breath. The new channels screamed loudly of the regular worsening of the conditions, the numerous deaths and cries of those who suffered. The newspapers published the increasing numbers daily and informed people of the trauma that the world was facing making even the mornings mournful.

Health anxiety is a concept that depicts an obsessive and irrational concern about having a serious medical condition, which i9n common terms is known as illness anxiety. It occurs on a continuum from low to high. However, maintenance of balance is highly mandatory. Extremely high or low levels of health anxiety are seen to have harmful impacts on both, individual as well as community levels, leading to maladaptive behaviors. The mental health risks in the pandemic times are not limited to the health anxiety only, the general population is also burdened with the brunt of traumatic experiences linked to the spread of virus and its social response: the inability to attend the sick family members due to the physical contact restrictions, death of friends or relatives, inability to hold funerals, or burials. All these amount to the cultural satisfactions in people in a country like India.

These distressing situations one on top of the other, have made human beings vulnerable even to the day to day difficulties.

One who keeps his strength uptight, his interests lively, thoughts optimistic and believes that everything will be fine soon can better survive these times than the other. A regular routine of undertaking activities of choice, pursuing hobbies safe at home, or simply by listening to the favorite music can enhance one‘s mood by over three times. The key is to keep the spirits high and engage in the things that give a sense of peace, enthusiasm and joy.

1.1 Objective

1. This research paper has been prepared to serve the following objectives:

2. To study about the deteriorating mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic 3. To highlight the importance of keeping up with the mental health during the critical

times

4. To recommend ways of maintaining a good mental health during critical times.

2 LITERATURE REVIEW

According to Vigo, Pager, Steven Taylor, Ravioli, Thorneycroft and Latham (2020), the people had a double task of coping with the seemingly continuous worsening situations in the outbreak of the acute respiratory disease caused by the Covid-19 virus, and of its social consequences like death of loved ones, restrictions on contact thereby inability to care for their suffering family members, inability to rejoice in their festivals or occasions of daily life, performing rituals and traditions, etc. Migrants and refugees particularly suffered more because of the potentially precarious housing environments and because of the significant upsurge in stigma, discrimination and restrictions on their movements and rights. Under such conditions, there is a fair chance of increased family violence and aggressive behaviors. The consequences are relatively long-term in children and adolescents than in general population as they are experiencing the crisis during the crucial years of their bio- psychosocial development. These consequences may either be positive or negative depending on the environment that they are living in during this time, responses of their parents or caregivers. Rubin and Wessel (2020) in their paper have raised concern over the effects on mental health due to the current picture of inevitable and large-scale quarantine procedures as a precautionary measure for the spread of the virus. They observed that in cases of mass quarantine, the experience of social isolation and the ineffective ways tolerating distress are seen to escalate anxiety and fear of being trapped or the sense of losing control catalyzed by the hike in the spread of rumors. The people responded to their fears and intolerance of uncertainty by adopting negative social behaviors as coping mechanisms.

Nor El- Trek (2020) suggested that people direct the purpose of their actions and behaviors to attain sense of control over situations that inflicted fear or alarm in their

(3)

18

consciousness because of its uncertain nature. This theory is also evident by the instances of shortage of toilet papers in certain countries because people perceived the outbreak of the virus as a ‗real‘ threat and assumed it to last for quite a period of time. He explains these acts of panic buying as a behavioral response of people towards the occurrence of a natural disaster. This is the way that the masses employ in order to contain their anxieties over the uncertainties. However, this can disrupt the proper balance of the supply chains and may in turn disturb the functioning of the community as whole.

Giuffrida and To-do (2020) gave an insight into the other perspective of mental health that was directed more towards self than on the external agents. In their study, they opined the additional reasons of guilt and fear in people to be a result of being infected to the virus themselves. People blamed themselves for the spread of the virus to their loved ones or people they were being taken care by. This accounted for the death of a health worker who committed suicide as she feared she had infected seriously people she was taking care of.

The study conducted by Cheng and Cheung (2005) explained three notions about the anxiety and stress in people during the outbreak of severe respiratory diseases. Firstly, not all individuals experience the same amount of anxiety and fear. This comes even after all of them were to face the same dread and unknown health risk. Individuals have their own unique mechanisms of coping with stress and anxiety. It differs based on a number of factors, like experiences, coping mechanisms, ideologies, and other social factors. Secondly, there may be major differences in the levels of anxiety and coping techniques in general, but they can also be minimal under certain circumstances. Finally, the coping responses adopted by people can fluctuate thoroughly over time and/or after the encounter of certain critical events. These changing responses can be seen as am attribute towards the perceived nature of the threatening event. People experiencing higher levels of anxiety may see the even as extremely life-threatening, whereas people who manage to keep up with their anxiety can find it adjustable to cope with the changing conditions.

Ueda, Nordstrom and Matsubayashi (2021) studied about the severe effects on mental health on general population because of the unprecedented health situation. The findings of their study correspond to the two major conditions that serve as risk factors for the suicidal cases, i.e, deteriorating mental health; and higher unemployment rates. These sudden situations have the potential to increases the incidences of suicide throughout the world. It also opined that the media reports of celebrities committing suicide can also be considered as an agent in increasing the mental health disturbances in vulnerable people who admire these celebrities and look upon them as their role models.

Pepped, Economic, Scale and Papageorgiou (2020) conducted their research based on the people who reached them out for psychological help. The results highlighted that a major portion of such people were not actually the patients of Covid-19 but the ones who experienced fears and anxiety of getting the illness. Most of the calls they received for mental help pertained to quarantine, loneliness and to feelings of restraints. The primary concern of such calls was focused on the health and protection of their beloved people.

Among them, some were also concerned to anxiety over economy. A major reason considered for such mental health challenges was found to be the restrictive measures that were enforced in view of the prevention of the spread of virus rather than the virus itself.

The worries and stress triggered by the pandemic come out as the anxiety symptoms which, in some cases organise as clinical syndrome.

Anent Kumar and Rajasekharan Near (2020) the pandemic has affected the world and the life of people in multi-domains. The measures employed to contain the effects of the spread of virus like social-isolation and quarantine have affected people with loneliness, depression, insomnia, drug abuse, etc. The provision of lockdown saw a significant rise in the numbers of domestic violence and children in such households find no escape from such abuse in the lockdown. The imposition of lockdown to break the chain of transmission created boredom and monotony in the daily lives of office- going people and children.

Children have a different way of responding to stress based on their cognitive, physical and social developments. They may react in a clingy manner, anxious behaviour, withdrawal,

(4)

19

angry or agitated behaviour along with/without bedwetting, etc. they need the love, warmth and affection of their adults during such times.

3 METHODOLGY

The research was conducted by carrying out an in-detail study of the previous researches undertaken in relation to the topic of the paper. The papers and articles relating to the impact of the Pandemic and its consequences on the mental health of mankind were read, studied and analyzed by the researcher. Additionally, the ways to cope with the deteriorating mental health are suggested in order to provide a way forward amidst the negatively impacting circumstances. A total of 4 papers were taken into consideration for the research.

4 DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Mental health can be considered as the power house of a man‘s effective functioning. It regulates the overall mechanism of a person‘s life. It is an umbrella term that involves the emotional, psychological and social well-being of a person. It lays an influence on how one thinks, feels, perceives and acts. The way we handle stress, relate to other people, respond to situations, and make choices in these decisions are all determined by the condition of our mental health. Therefore, it is denoted as the most essential asset for human beings to possess.―Good mental health is absolutely fundamental to overall health and well-being,‖

said Dr Terrors Adhanom Ghee reissues, Director-General of the World Health Organization.Its importance grows all the more during the times when we find it hardest to fight. It is at these times, that one‘s mind and psychology comes into play. A calm mind, relaxed cognition and optimistic attitude can prove to be of utmost importance in finding a way out of the challenges. With the regular increase in the number of infected people, dreadful virus mutations, lack of preventive resources, of the basic necessities, social contact, warmth of fighting collectively, the stress levels and anxiety grew at a greater pace every day. Those who got infected feared the inevitable nature of the disease and lost the willingness to live. Their brains were devoid of the motivation required by their immune systems to fight the virus present in their bodies. The brain can prove to be the truest of servants and the wicked of masters, when handled in either way. Therefore, our brain needs to first believe in that we want to accomplish, and the biology then responds to its orders accordingly. This should not be confused as the sole reason, but there have been evidences about such powers of the brain. Placebos are one such example.

Another aspect can be viewed in regard to the general public, who escaped the contraction of virus but were fighting the social restrictions. Daily encounter with the news that informed about the new consequences, heart-breaking stories of people losing their loved ones, the helplessness of the health services, and void of concrete preventive measures – all contributed to the gradually increasing anxieties, symptoms of PTSD (post- traumatic stress disorders), mood fluctuations, irritability, aggression and family violence.

There have been scientific evidences of increased alcoholism, substance abuse, insomnia in the people during these two years. These have their own harmful consequences to be met in the future.

People tend to resist notions that restrict their movement or lifestyle. This sub conscious feeling of restrictions create agitation in the thoughts of individuals, which remains hidden from the consciousness of the common people, and so fail to be addressed.

The individuals who recognize this change in their psychological well-being must reach out for help and confess their fears and anxieties so as to get rid of them. Children are known to be lively and always playful. Having them to stay indoors not only hinders their physical development but makes them anxious as this is opposite to the traits of their age. They therefore, require extra care, warmth and time from their parents, guardians or caregivers.

Human beings are empathetic in nature. They may experience a lot of guilt if their actions harm others or specifically their loved ones. Self-blaming for the spread of virus from oneself to his peers makes one feel guilty of causing danger to them. These fluctuations, or rather deterioration in mental health can have highly catastrophic

(5)

20

consequences, even suicidal thoughts in some cases. It becomes all the more important to keep a watch at our behaviors, thoughts and mind in such difficult times, not only to keep oneself safe, but to keep even our family, friends and relatives in good mental health.

5 RECOMMENDATIONS

There are a number of ways through which one can rejuvenate their mind and maintain a sound mental health even at the times of crisis like this pandemic. They include:

1. Since, media is not restricted to only informing facts and have in the recent years shifted towards gaining TRPs, telecasts which are harmful for our mental peace and stability flood the television channels and paid news in the newspapers. Therefore, individuals should practice restricted media consumption and assessment of information which can help us practically to adopt appropriate behaviors along with keeping negative thoughts out of our thought processes.

2. Keeping a fact check on the rumors can keep panic and anxiety away to a greater extent.

3. Man is a social animal. Hence, we need each other. Ensuring the maintenance of our social connections even after maintaining physical distances can help develop a sense of support and warmth. Keep in touch with family, friends and relatives by means of video calls, phone calls, or social media.

4. Doing physical exercises can biologically improve our mood and inflict some sort of enthusiasm within us along with keeping us and our immune system fit.

5. Pursuing our hobbies like music, dance, painting, writing or anything that freshens up our mood and enhances the creative dimension of our thinking.

6. Listening to the music of our choice has the potential to automatically put us into good mood and relax our mind of the tensions and worries.

7. Communicate. Talk about your feelings without any hesitation or resistance to the people you feel secure and comfortable with. We are all in this together and will get over these times as well.

6 CONCLUSION

When one has his psychological well-being, he is capable of fighting all the odds in a relatively better way. Deteriorated mental health does nothing but worsens the condition of an individual. Instead, if mental health is maintained at good levels, it can actually help one out by providing a clear and confident idea to cope with the situation he is put into. The world is gripped under the harshest of times, but it is through individual support that we can fight this altogether. Psychologically taking care of ourselves can minimize the burden not only on our level but can benefit the community as a whole. By following the measures that are essential in keeping our minds good and healthy, one can find courage and strength to deal with the hardest of challenges. This can be fruitful not only in the present situations but are extremely importance for the betterment of our future as well.

REFERENCES

1. World Health Organization. Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2020. Geneva, Switzerland: WHO; 2013.

2. Virgo, D., Patten, S., Pager, K., Kraus, M., Taylor, S., Rush, B., Ravioli, G., Sabena, S., Thorneycroft, G., &

Latham, L. N. (2020). Mental Health of Communities during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 65(10), 681–687.

3. Usher, K., Durkin, J., & Buhler, N. (2020). The COVID-19 pandemic and mental health impacts. International journal of mental health nursing, 29(3), 315–318.

4. Fienberg, HV. Pandemic preparedness and response—lessons from the H1N1 influenza of 2009. N Engle J Med. 2014; 370(14):1335–1342.

5. Cheng, C. & Cheung, M. W. (2005). Psychological responses to outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome: A prospective, multiple time‐point study. Journal of Personality, 73 (1), 261–285.

6. Giuffrida, A. & To-do, L. (2020). As if a storm hit': more than 40 Italian health workers have died since crisis began. The Guardian. Available from: URL: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/26/as-if-a- storm-hit-33-italian-health-workers-have-died-since-crisis-began

.

7. El Trek, N. (2020). Toilet paper, canned food: What explains corona virus panic buying. Aljazeera. Available from:URL: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/toilet-paper-canned-food-explains-coronavirus- panic-buying-200313083341035.html