Covid 19 and Mental health – Goshen Delight International Initiative (aka Delightsome Lands)

Mental health in simple terms can refer to a state of being free of any mental illness, it’s the normal and proper functioning of the mind and mental faculties of an individual in the exact way it is meant to function. It can also refer to a state of well-being, where an individual realizes that he has within him enough abilities to cope with the challenges of life, overcome and even make a difference in the community. Mental health is not only about the absence of mental disorders or disabilities,it also includes looking after ongoing wellness and happiness. It is all about how people feel,think,behave and respond.

The importance of mental health cannot rarely be overemphasize. It affects so much of our lives and has not been given as much attention as it requires. Information on this is not as widely circulated as it requires. Besides,a lot of people have not come to see why they should give attention to their mental health and/or increase their knowledge on mental health.

1. Mental health can affect daily living, relationships and physical health.

2. Mental health can affect a person’s ability to enjoy life.

3. Mental health can affect a person’s income and productivity.

4. Mental health can greatly affect a person’s social life.

The list goes on and on. Improved mental health can lead to an improved quality of life.

Mental disorders are of various types and are more prevalent than most people realize. Some of the symptoms can be very mild and not easily detectable. There are individuals with some of these without even realizing that they are going through a mental disorder. Factors in a person’s life,daily relationships and physical factors can cause mental disorders. Conditions such as stress, depression and anxiety can all have impact on mental health. Factors such as continuous social and economic pressure, biological factors,etc may contribute to mental health disruptions.

Covid19,the pandemic and lockdowns have in no measure negatively impacted the mental health of people all over the world. Deaths, Isolation,loss of income and fear that following covid19 pandemic has in no small measure created and also worsened mental health conditions of the people. No time in the history of the world has there been so much anxiety, depression and mental stress as the one brought on the world by the covid19 pandemic.

Nations, governments, Presidents, health bodies and individuals as a whole lost confidence in their ability to cope with the challenges of covid19 posed. Many people died of covid19,but many more died of fear, depression, anxiety,high blood pressure and generally a fear of not knowing what tommorow holds. Evil vices associated with poor mental health were in abundance especially in parts of Africa and other parts of the world. Suicides were so much on the increase especially with the fact that a lot of people had lost their means of livelihood and no one could tell when the pandemic was going to be over. The world has never experienced that level of hopelessness before. This produced more mental disorders among the populace than any statistic can compile. Many have not recovered from the trauma associated with the covid19 pandemic and have not been able to get the required psychological help as a result of the level of poverty the pandemic brought. It is indeed a societal tragedy cause the world is not the same and will never be the same from the after effects.

Common mental health disorders includes: anxiety disorders,mood disorders, schizophrenic disorders. There might be no way to accurately tell to what extent the covid19 pandemic has brought the manifestation of these disorders and others to the lives of people. Everyone has some risk of developing a mental health disorder irrespective of age,sex,income or ethnicity. A large number of people with mental health disorders have more than one condition at a time. A good mental health depends on a delicate balance of factors that maybe challenging to create at this time with Covid19 and it’s variant plaguing the world.

There is no physical test or scan that reliably indicates whether a person has developed a mental illness. This can be quiet challenging. However,we can look out for the following symptoms :

1. Loss of interest

2. Low energy

3. Change in sleeping habits

4. Appetite or weight changes

5. Difficulty interacting

6.uncontrollable emotions

7. Change in feelings or demeanor

If one or more of these is strongly present in an individual,it may become necessary to seek professional psychological help.