Three months into the coronavirus pandemic, the country is on the verge of another health crisis, with daily doses of death, isolation and fear generating widespread psychological trauma. Just as the initial outbreak of the novel coronavirus caught hospitals unprepared, our mental-health system — vastly underfunded, is even less prepared to handle this coming surge.
Social distancing can help stem the the spread of coronavirus but at the same time it can take a toll on our mental state. The new reality of social distancing and other safety measures is testing everyone, and those living with mental illness may find this time even more challenging if the support system they rely on is not in place.
As the coronavirus pandemic has unfolded around globe, ordinary life has been put on pause. Lockdowns, travel restrictions, school closings, work closings, and social distancing have created a level of social isolation previously unseen across the globe. Fears about finances and food shortages have placed additional stressors on an already anxious and sensitised population.
Social distancing can help stem the the
spread of coronavirus but at the same
time it can take a toll on our mental state
This pandemic and the associated changes, including serious financial implications for many households, can have profound consequences for our mental health.
Experts fear that post-pandemic Bangladesh will have to deal with mass post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), triggered by the ongoing global health crisis. Considering the situation, policymakers, leaders, experts, and individuals must act now to win the battle against mental health breakdown.
Also motivating healthcare providers and other frontline workers, making mental health-friendly policies for the people living under poverty, ensuring job security, and education should be prioritised in fighting the mental health breakdown.
No doubt mental health needs must be treated as a core element of our response to and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
A failure to take people's emotional well-being seriously will lead to long-term social and economic costs to society. As a nation, we must be prepared for the mental health pandemic that will follow the coronavirus pandemic.