• Latest
Grenada to develop Suicide Prevention Programme

Covid-19 pandemic psychosocial support needed – Part 1

1 year ago
Grenada will not attend first OECS Parliament session

OECS and African Union partner to overcome vaccine challenges!

7 hours ago
Grenada honey one step closer to being legally sold on Trinidad market

Government meets with unions representing public workers

18 hours ago
Claims of coronavirus at SGU designed to create fear and panic

Covid-19 update: Grenada Dashboard 16 April

19 hours ago
Mia Mottley’s profile in courage on anti-discrimination

Grenadian PhD candidate sets sights on environment and climate justice

23 hours ago
Entertainers fully vaxxed and ready to perform at Sandals Grenada

Entertainers fully vaxxed and ready to perform at Sandals Grenada

1 day ago
Senator identifies finance as major shortcoming for sectors he represents

St Clair: MNIB resuming exporting of produce is good news 

1 day ago
Working together for growth & development

Working together for growth & development

1 day ago
Government says “no physical altercation” between journalist and junior minister

Collaborate with NaDMA for Covid-19 compliant relief effort

2 days ago
Securing Economic Integration: The importance of intraregional trade

Guidance for processing incoming persons from St Vincent

2 days ago
Ridge to Reef and MNIB launch Pest Management Project

MNIB resumes exporting; Increased inquiries from Barbados

2 days ago
Environmentalists unconvinced over Levera no-encroachment claim

Levera Project holding community consultations

2 days ago
SGU and Government of Grenada establish diagnostic testing facilities

SGU reopening; mandatory vaccination for all on campus

2 days ago
NOW Grenada

Main Header Ad 468x60

booked.net
  • Front Page
  • Categories
    • General News
      • All
      • Agriculture & Fisheries
      • Arts & Culture
      • Business
      • Education
      • Environment
      • Health
      • History
      • Lifestyle
      • Law
      • Politics
      • Technology
      • Travel & Tourism
      • Weather
      • Youth
    • Sports
      • All
      • Athletics
      • Cricket
      • Football
      • Watersports
    • Community
      • All
      • Tribute
    • Crime
    • Features
      • All
      • Today in History
    • Opinion/Commentary
    • Press Releases
      • All
      • Advertisements
      • Notices
  • Video
  • Notices & Vacancies
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Front Page
  • Categories
    • General News
      • All
      • Agriculture & Fisheries
      • Arts & Culture
      • Business
      • Education
      • Environment
      • Health
      • History
      • Lifestyle
      • Law
      • Politics
      • Technology
      • Travel & Tourism
      • Weather
      • Youth
    • Sports
      • All
      • Athletics
      • Cricket
      • Football
      • Watersports
    • Community
      • All
      • Tribute
    • Crime
    • Features
      • All
      • Today in History
    • Opinion/Commentary
    • Press Releases
      • All
      • Advertisements
      • Notices
  • Video
  • Notices & Vacancies
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
NOW Grenada
No Result
View All Result

Article Header

Covid-19 pandemic psychosocial support needed – Part 1

This story was posted 1 year ago
2 April 2020
in General News, Health
5 min. read
Share

by Curlan Campbell, NOW Grenada

  • Keep “physical distancing” but maintain social connections
  • Socialising is an essential human need and can be done without violating protocol
  • Psychological impacts on populations include anxiety and heightened levels of stress

Director of Masters in Clinical-Community Psychology Programme at St George’s University (SGU), Arlette Herry PhD, advises to keep “physical distancing” but maintain social connections. The health psychologist’s advice mirrors that of the World Health Organisation (WHO) as mental health and psychological resilience is placed high on the agenda during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The pandemic forced many countries to declared states of emergency or curfews, confining people to their homes. Psychological impacts on populations during this period include anxiety and heightened levels of stress particularly for the senior population experiencing dementia. This situation especially puts people with a prior history of mental illness at a greater risk of relapse since these people may already be exposed to being socially isolated.

Dr Herry said, “Isolation removes access to your support network. If you feel that you are experiencing this event alone and have no support, it can affect the way that you cope. This goes not just for the mentally ill but for everyone. Older adults are especially at risk if they live alone. Again, the onus is on all of us to prevent that. Families can call to reach out but also neighbours can do their part by just calling out from across the yard for a chat.”

Dr Herry outlined how this crisis can adversely affect mentally ill patients and provided ways to mitigate.

  • A social support network to ensure that they are being compliant and taking their medication.

This can be immediate family members in the house or a friend or neighbour calling to check on them and reminding them to take their medicine. Family members need to more aware of any changes and call a physician or the ministry for help.

  • Provision of psychological/psychiatric support services.

The public should be made aware of the number to call if a family member or any citizen is experiencing difficulties due to mental illness.

  • Obviously, community health workers are not going out into the community. However, they should reach out to their clients or their families to check on their status.

Sometimes all it takes is hearing a familiar, friendly voice on the line to put a mind at ease.

The health psychologist says the impact of the crisis on people’s mental health should be taken very seriously. She offered some advice for people with an underlying history of mental illness to ensure that their condition remains stable and also provided steps that a person with mental illness must take if their condition is becoming unstable.

“First, try not to be socially disconnected. Reach out to family and friends by phone. Create a routine. For example, call every morning and night just to check-in. Second, maintain (or in some cases, start) physical activity. For example, weed the flower beds, jump rope, scrub the steps, walk around the yard. We are so fortunate to be living in a place where we have bright sunshine and fresh, unpolluted air. However, if they feel that symptoms are worsening, please reach out the local medical centres or the Ministry of Health,” she said.

Dr Herry said precautions to protect their mental health during this crisis should be a priority for everyone. She maintains that despite the advice by the authorities to maintain social distancing protocol, socialising is an essential human need and can be done without violating the protocol. “Physical distancing is a more appropriate term because we do want people to keep physical distance but maintain social connections. In fact, the WHO is currently reassessing the use of the term, and has already started using “physical distancing” in its place. The adverse effects of social isolation are the equivalent of smoking 15 cigarettes per day; it can shorten your life span, exacerbate chronic conditions, and affect mental health. As such, we want people to keep their social connections.”

In maintaining social connections during this crisis, Dr Herry said technology can be used to offset the lack of physical interaction. “We live in a time when technology provides different avenues to do so – WhatsApp phone and video; Face Time; Skype; Zoom; and the good old landline. Reach out to friends, family, colleagues. Talk about your experiences, reminisce about your childhood days, exchange recipes, share future plans.”

The WHO – Department of Mental Health and Substance Use has developed guidelines for the various sectors of the population that can be followed to help ease the anxiety caused by the Covid-19 pandemic especially for people in isolation.

Among the many recommendations listed in the document for people in isolation are:

  • Stay connected and maintain your social networks
  • Try as much as possible to keep your daily routines or create new routines if circumstances change
  • If health authorities have recommended limiting your physical social contact to contain the outbreak, you can stay connected via telephone, email, social media or video conference
  • During times of stress, pay attention to your own needs and feelings
  • Engage in healthy activities that you enjoy and find relaxing
  • Exercise regularly, keep regular sleep routines and eat healthy food
  • Keep things in perspective. Public health agencies and experts in all countries are working on the outbreak to ensure the availability of the best care to those affected
  • A near-constant stream of news reports about an outbreak can cause anyone to feel anxious or distressed
  • Seek information updates and practical guidance at specific times during the day from health professionals and WHO website and avoid listening to or following rumours that make you feel uncomfortable.

NOW Grenada is not responsible for the opinions, statements or media content presented by contributors. In case of abuse, click here to report.

Tags: arlette herrycoronaviruscovid-19curlan campbellmental healthmental illnesspandemicphysical distancingpsychologypsychosocial supportsgusocial distancingst george’s universitywhoworld health organisation
Next Post
New director appointed at Grenada Co-Operative Bank 

New director appointed at Grenada Co-Operative Bank 

Comments 3

  1. Christopher Belfon says:
    1 year ago

    I am in agreement with this document. In addition individuals can use the opportunity to catch-up on things that were left undone for a long time. Together with this it’s a great opportunity to spend quality time with family members.

    Reply
  2. Generous says:
    1 year ago

    Agreed. I AM PARTICULARLY CO NCERNED ABOUT THE SUBSTANCE ABUSERS AND WITHDRAWAL..
    USE OF ALCOHOL BASED LIQUIDS WHEN THEY CAN’T FIND RUM ETC.
    MENTAL ILLNESS
    ETC ETC
    WHAT ABOUT THE FRONT LINE WORKERS WHO MAY HAVE FEARS?

    Reply
    • Jason Allard says:
      11 months ago

      I agree. Because people should not go and socialized because you can catch the covid -19 doctor have to be very careful with people in hospital

      Reply

Comment on story Cancel reply

Please enter your valid email address.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Home Sidebar NP 300x250

© NOW Grenada. All Rights Reserved. Published by Aqua Design Inc. | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

No Result
View All Result
  • Front Page
  • Categories
    • General News
      • All
      • Agriculture & Fisheries
      • Arts & Culture
      • Business
      • Education
      • Environment
      • Health
      • History
      • Lifestyle
      • Law
      • Politics
      • Technology
      • Travel & Tourism
      • Weather
      • Youth
    • Sports
      • All
      • Athletics
      • Cricket
      • Football
      • Watersports
    • Community
      • All
      • Tribute
    • Crime
    • Features
      • All
      • Today in History
    • Opinion/Commentary
    • Press Releases
      • All
      • Advertisements
      • Notices
  • Video
  • Notices & Vacancies
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us

Copyright NOW Grenada

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. Visit our Privacy Policy | Terms of Use.

NOW Grenada
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. Visit our Privacy Policy | Terms of Use.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.