COVID–19

The Covid–19 pandemic has affected everyone, to a greater or lesser extent. Directly or indirectly, the impact has included:

Bereavement

Particularly distressing has been the inability for many people to attend funerals, wakes and other events which are intrinsic to the grieving process. In many cases, restrictions have prevented families from visiting loved ones in hospital or care homes, leading to exacerbated sadness and often guilt in processing bereavement.

Health

Many people with established health concerns are fearful of contracting the virus. Symptoms have ranged from negligible, to severe and fatal. Those fortunate to recover have experienced either no after effects or a range of longer lasting problems. Physical and mental health can have direct correlation and this is true of the recent pandemic.

Isolation

Loneliness can be extremely damaging to mental health under any circumstance; during the past approximately eighteen months many people have experienced escalation of those effects. Anxiety to go out and to meet other people has increased, with a normalisation of greatly reduced socialising and online interaction prevailing.

Loss

Routine, social interaction, education, employment and to a certain degree, freedom of movement have all been curtailed during extended periods of lockdown. This has led to increased anxiety and a number of new, unexpected challenges. Even as the pandemic appears to be more under control, processing of loss involved is important.

Uncertainty

One of the characteristics of the pandemic has been the levels of uncertainty which it has originated. The potential severity of symptoms, necessity for self–isolation, and the nature and length of lockdowns have resulted in exceptional unpredictability of situation for nearly everyone. Such lack of control and planning can be very stressful.

Work

Work (or lack thereof) can cause significant worry. During the pandemic, provision within the service, retail and entertainment industries has been minimised. Many who have continued to work have faced increased difficulties; working from home by no means been universally easy. Challenges arising can profoundly affect mental health.