COVID-19 Impacting Mental Health: Youth getting affected more

Summary

• COVID-19 pandemic is stressful for everyone; however, it is affecting young people more.
• According to a survey by the International Labour Organization (ILO), nearly 50% of young people are possibly subject to anxiety or depression.
• During the COVID-19 pandemic surge in the prescription of medicines for mental health has been observed.
• People with any pre-existing mental health conditions or substance use disorders may be particularly vulnerable in an emergency.

COVID-19 pandemic may be stressful for people, and it is normal to feel anxious & stressed during such times. Fear, anxiety, worry, and stress are normal responses to any perceived as well as real dangers, and at times when we confront any uncertainty or unknown fear.

The World Health Organization (WHO), with its partners, is offering guidance and assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic for health-workers, managers of health services, aged people, people who are looking after children, people in isolation, and the members of the public more generally, to take care of mental health.

Half of the young population across the world is probably subject to anxiety or depression because of COVID-19 pandemic, a recent International Labour Organization (ILO) report demonstrated.

Also, the fear of the second wave of coronavirus is worrisome and a major cause of concern among people with several countries witnessing a recent spike in the number of cases in other countries is worrisome and increasing the concern among people.

Governments are also playing their respective roles and allocating funds that aid in providing mental health services, especially for the younger generation.

Every Person Responds Differently to Stressful Conditions

How one person responds to any stress or anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic depends on the background, social support from friends or family, financial situation, health & emotional experience, including many other factors.

People who are likely to react more to stress or any anxiety during a crisis include-

• Children and teenagers.
• Individuals at increased risk for serious illness from COVID-19 (like aged people, and individuals of any age having certain underlying medical conditions).
• People who are providing care to family members or loved ones.
• Healthcare workers & first responders.
• Critical workers working in the food industry.
• People with existing mental illness.
• Individuals who lost their jobs amid COVID-19, had their work hours decreased, or had other significant adjustments to their employment.
• Socially isolated people, including who live alone, as well as people in rural or frontier areas.

Moreover, it is reported that during the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a surge in the prescription of mental health medicines like anti-insomnia, anti-anxiety, and anti-depressants.

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International Labour Organization Says 50% global youth depressed

According to the ILO, the COVID-19 turmoil is inflicting numerous shocks on young individuals. As per an ILO survey, it was found that half of the young people are probably subject to depression or anxiety, while an additional 17% are possibly affected by it.

Moreover, since the onset of COVID-19, over 70% of youth who are in schools, universities, and training centres have been adversely affected due to closure of schools and colleges amid lockdown measures, according to an analysis by the ILO.

ILO Director-General, Guy Ryder stated-

The ILO study found the effect of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on youth to be systematic, profound, and inconsistent. Moreover, it has been especially hard on the youth, especially in lower-income nations. They are worried about their future. The ILO mentioned that nearly 38% of young people are not sure about their future career prospect.

Managing mental health during COVID-19

Constrained within the four walls as physical distancing rules are enforced, and living with a substantial challenge of survival, many people are undergoing some mental illness such as anxiety, worry, or fear.

According to the Household Impacts of COVID-19 Survey released on 10 August 2020 by Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) for May 2020, two in three people in NSW & Victoria (67%) reported feeling concerned or extremely worried about their personal health due to the spread of COVID-19.

Mental health forms a crucial component of overall health & wellbeing, affecting the way we think, feel, and react to a situation. It could also change the way we manage stress and make decisions during an emergency.

People with any pre-existing mental health conditions or substance use disorders may be particularly vulnerable in an emergency. Mental health conditions including stress, depression, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder, may affect thinking, feeling, mood or behaviour of an individual in a way that affects their ability to function each day.

There are some healthy ways to manage anxiety and stress during COVID-19:

• Understand what to do if you are sickand are concerned about COVID-19.
• Know how to get therapy and other support services, including counselling (via telehealth or telemedicine services).
• Take breaks from watching or reading to news, including those on social media as well. Hearing about the pandemic frequently could be disturbing. Or choose a limited time each day when you will check updates related to COVID-19. Continually listening to media coverage about COVID-19 can make you anxious and upset.
• Take care of your body- Take deep breaths or meditate, try to eat healthy and well-balanced meals. Do regular home-based workouts and exercise.

DO READ: Rising Mental Distress During Pandemic Driving Virtual Consultation Service

Bottomline

Mental health is a crucial part of complete health and wellbeing. It affects how we think, feel, and respond. During the pandemic, one should take extreme care of mental health, and if nothing works, should speak with a doctor or any healthcare professional.

However, we should be optimistic that the situation will improve as several companies are in the late stages of clinical trials with investigational COVID-19 vaccine. We shall be having a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine soon by the end of this year or the beginning of 2021, as Director of NIAID, Dr Anthony Fauci, prudently foresees.

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