So far, COVID-19 pandemic has inflicted severe human and material damages and it is still posing a serious threat against humankind. Besides, it has been triggering fear, anxiety, stress and mental health problem on individuals.
Related to the nature of the pandemic, people around the world are encountering psychological problem due to stigma and isolation, Psychology Lecturer at Addis Ababa University, Sisay Temesgen says.
‘’As it is a contagious disease, COVID-19 is posing a health hazard on human beings. Citizens face problems such as stigma, abuse and job uncertainty if they are proved positive to COVID-19 . This would trigger anxiety and stress that could lead to mental health problem,’’ Sisay states.
As to him, long lasting quarantine and staying at home would be attributed to causing avoiding health problems. Especially, the situation to countries facing lack basic facilities could be catastrophic.
‘‘We Ethiopians have strong social interaction. Hence, it is highly difficult to separate people from their family, neighbors and friends. If so, it would be problematic to practice social distancing as well. If the government declares total lock-down, the number of people who are going to be affected by mental health could soar up Thus, preparations should be undertaken to address public health problems,’’ the lecturer highlights.
Sisay recommends that helping each other and continuing our social bond is important at this perilous time of observing social distancing and hygiene.
As far as health professionals are concerned, they should be committed, ethical and competent professionals in handling COVID-19 cases since they have decisive role in strengthening their psychological status, according to him.
“Health professionals must fulfill their responsibility in this critical time. They have to give proper treatment and care for COVID-19 cases. Those who face anxiety and stress need to be consulted by psychiatrist,’’ Sisay stresses.
According to him, staying at home could trigger child abuse and domestic violence and this would cause mental health.
Children would be vulnerable for mental health when they hear their parents and guardians talking about the pandemic in distraught ways. Therefore, Sisay advises parents to refrain from complaining in front of their kids.
‘’The case of children is very delicate. They have imaginative nature. So we have to be careful not to speak about the pandemic in a stressful manner. We have to inform them what to do and what not to do without showing any sign of distress and anxiety,’’ the lecturer recommends.
For his part, Teklebrhan Teklay, psychiatrist in Maichew Hospital says that fear and anxiety would be hurdles in combating the pandemic.
‘’We could only defeat the pandemic through fulfilling the guidelines being given by health professionals, Ministry of Health, World Health Organization (WHO) and other bodies. Fear and disturbance couldn’t be a solution except exacerbating it. Hence, the people should stay strong mentally,’’ he underlines.
He adds that avoiding negative perceptions, instead doing physical exercise, listening music, watching movies and reading books would prevent people from boredom and stress.
Teklebirhan reaffirms that there could be disagreements between husbands and wives when they spend their time at home. This would harm the children as well.
‘‘Disagreements between a husband and wife would be a source of stress and anxiety. This will cause mental health problem. Children would be more vulnerable in this regard. Hence, parents should know that they have huge responsibility in preventing themselves and their family from the pandemic,’’ he concluded.
The Ethiopian Herald April 26/2020
BY TSEGAY HAGOS
