Nicole (not real name) was diagnosed with a mental health disorder following the death of her twin brother. Her grief wasn’t made easy with the on-and-off lockdowns. These, she says, tend to worsen her already fragile mental state. “I deal with a lot of fear; staying at home, attending virtual classes alone, feels like something is missing and this gives me regular panic attacks and anxiety,” she says. A few days ago, her mother tested positive for coronavirus. Nicole says she doesn’t know how to feel, “My mood keeps dropping, anxiety and loneliness have become an issue for me,” she adds. The new realities of the current state that the world is living in due to the pandemic; working from home, virtual schooling, unemployment, lack of physical contact with family members, friends, and colleagues, fear of contracting the virus, and worry about patients in our homes, will surely take us time to get used to. These changes have certainly had a huge impact on people’s mental health. Mental health includes one’s emotional psychological and social well-being. It mostly affects how we think, feel and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Uzziel Manirareba, a psychologist in Kigali, encourages the need to prioritise mental health in this condition, and shares a few tips on how to go about this. He says, taking care of your mind as well as your body is really important as we stay at home, adding that adapting to this new way of life is key to taking care of our mental health. “Set time aside to breathe, know it is okay to ask for help. Set daily routines that include being creative, staying informed through reliable sources, and remembering that you are not alone in this situation,’’ he says. He notes that isolation often worsens the mental health of many, particularly those already living with conditions like anxiety, Post Traumatic Disorder (PTSD), loneliness, and other related mental illness issues. “We need to fight against mental health stigma as people with mental health conditions still often experience it. Don’t be afraid to speak up and seek assistance whenever you feel unwell or mentally distressed, reach out to health lines before your situation develops into an illness,’’ he says. Tips on how to protect your mental health Stay connected with people Maintaining a good relationship with those you care about will help to preserve mental health during lockdown periods and long periods of self-isolation. “Agree on regular check-in times and feel connected to the people around you. Even though it seems to be complicated as it is urged to avoid physical contact, but technology has made it easier to communicate through different platforms, send a message or make a video call to check on others,’’ the psychologist adds. Be careful with what you read There is extensive news coverage about the outbreak. If you find that the news is causing stress, it is important to find the balance. There is a lot of information swirling around, stay informed by sticking to trusted sources of information. You shouldn’t avoid all news, keep informing and educating yourself and if you’re not comfortable with it, limit your news, or reading social media intake. Set daily routines Routines typically have a beginning and an end, and we plan our day and time around being able to prioritise them and accomplish the most important tasks of the day ourselves and our families. Routines can create a positive level of stress that keep us focused and may avoid the depression that many experiences while in lockdown period, like isolation, fear, and uncertainty. This will help to reduce the mental health impact of what some are experiencing. Avoid burnout With weeks and months of the coronavirus pandemic ahead, it is important to have downtime. Continue accessing nature and sunlight wherever possible. Do exercise, eat well, and stay hydrated.
