Mental Health: Overcoming COVID-19 Challenges

While restrictive quarantine is still being enforced, the challenges of staying focused and maintaining one’s sense of equanimity persist and intensify.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued some online reminders through its website:

“It is normal to feel fearful and anxious during this time. Talking about your feelings will lessen your distress. Quarantine can lead to loneliness – especially for older people or people who live alone. Connect with other people through social media, telephone and online communities.”

Excessive participation in popular social media outlets could also be sources of yet another phenomenon: Infodemic. The WHO flags this vital concern: “An infodemic is too much information including false or misleading information in digital and physical environments during a disease outbreak. It causes confusion and risk-taking behaviors that can harm health. It also leads to mistrust in health authorities and undermines the public health response.”