The current state of global pandemic that we have been experiencing for quite a while now has undoubtedly rocked society as a whole. The number of things that were once considered stable, ever-present staples of everyday life that were stripped from us basically an instant has been incredible.
The most visible and apparent changes have obviously occurred in the general aspects of society as a whole. Businesses have closed, countless events and gatherings have been cancelled and becoming accustomed to everyone we come into contact with wearing a mask are only a few of these changes.
However, the affect the pandemic has had on the individual is every bit as profound. In one form of another, everyone’s life has experienced a certain degree of change. Some of us have dealt with serious health problems from the virus itself, others have lost their source of income, the list goes on.
One common aspect that has occurred on an individual level is the affect the pandemic has had on mental health. Mental health issues have been on the rise long before we ever heard of this virus, but have certainly been exacerbated as of late. In this article, we will discuss some of the ways the pandemic has negatively affected many peoples mental health.
Fueling Anxiety
The massive hysteria and constant state of uncertainty we have found ourselves in has promoted an environment where anxiety absolutely thrives. Worry and fear are running rampant all over the world. In addition to the worries that everyday life already greeted us with each day, we now have to worry about the possibility of falling ill to the virus.
The thought of loved ones getting sick and all of the precautions required to protect ourselves and those close to us is no doubt fueling anxiety. As a society, we have experienced a loss of employment and ability to provide for our families on an incredible scale.
Even the lucky individuals who have maintained their incomes are usually still worrying about the decreased certainty and stability of such.
This pandemic has caused an increase in the amount of people that struggle with anxiety as well as a worsening of the issue in those that were already. Anxiety has a funny way of creating problems in our minds that often times do not even exist, so in a situation like this one, where the worries are actually warranted, its prevalence is even greater.
Social Isolation
Another blow to mental health that has been elevated due to the pandemic is the social isolation that most of us have experienced to some degree. We are still not allowed to gather as we did before, required to maintain a specific amount of distance from other and must literally quarantine completely in certain situations.
Humans are inherently social creatures. We require interaction with other people and fellowship to foster an optimal state of mental health. There are currently a large percentage of people experiencing loneliness and feelings of isolation. Plenty of research and common knowledge tell us that these emotions are extremely detrimental to a healthy human mind.
Increased Animosity
If there is one thing that the pandemic and all of the information and suggestions associated with it have done, it has been an even greater division of people. Disagreement and chronic ill feelings between individuals and groups of people has and always will been a staple in society, but our current state is a breeding ground for animosity.
The most obvious subject of animosity has been the heated debate over the vaccination. In one direction, there are those shouting about how being vaccinated is a must and neglecting it is a violation of social responsibility.
Other groups are preaching about how mandating a vaccine is a direct attack on an individual’s rights and that allowing the government to make this call is nothing but a catalyst for even further infringement in the future.
It is no surprise that increased hate and tension amongst the population is anything but a detriment to our mental health. A society that promotes harmony and cooperation amongst its members on a large scale is extremely conducive to these same traits in the mind of the individual.
