Khalilah A. Shem-Banks Ph.D.
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Posted Apr 30, 2021
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As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rage on, individuals around the world are suffering from recurrent nightmares, excessive sleeping, less hygiene, and other pervasive issues. Now with a rapidly spreading, highly contagious, and incredibly complex virus, the impact on everyone is felt more than ever.
Throughout the pandemic, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the US has grown significantly, as has the profile of individuals infected with the virus. Big changes are coming as we inch closer to the Christmas holidays, and many people are struggling with insomnia, feeling unwell, and other troubling symptoms.
Experts and organizations are emphasizing the need for mental health advocacy, as well as rapid actions to address the crisis. International organizations such as Doctors Without Borders and the Red Cross are both bringing together people to share the most important news. The UNICEF Disaster Relief Division is also offering free online support.
Right now, many people are struggling with trauma. Those who survived childhood or adolescence face continuing challenges; they may never have experienced anything like this in their lives. The trauma of losing loved ones, unable to carry on in school, and facing racism and discrimination adds additional stress.
Terrible losses are often unavoidable
Looking around, we can see that unavoidable sadness can develop into catastrophic loss. The suffering is painful, and the hope of finding hope and resources to rebuild is devastating. The desire to end one of the most trying and challenging times can be a daunting task.
Mental health is resilient, and the pandemic is likely to get worse in the days ahead
Everyone has been affected by the grief and loss, and many people are struggling with anxiety and depression. No one is immune to this, and it doesn’t take much to change it.
We are going to have to be brave in facing the shock of this devastating pandemic and active refusal to accept death and other life as real. May we choose our lives’ phases of reactivity: enter a zone of reduced activity to reflect and fuse what is around us; zone of activation to renew our commitment to make life changes; or a period of focussing on our environment to reduce the effects of disappointment, boredom, rage, and scarcity.
The sooner we can begin to plan for these challenges, the better. With any luck, we will be able to implement the changes we are going to have to make for our lives to be resilient, meaningful, and happy.