Coronavirus and The Possible Long-Term Mental Health Impacts and Treatments

With the coronavirus pandemic rapidly spreading across the world, most people have to deal with a considerable degree of fear and worry about sudden life changes. Specific populations like the older adults, people with underlying health conditions, and the healthcare providers at the forefront of the happenings are even more affected.
Asides from families that have lost multiple loved ones, others have also lost their jobs, daily activities, routines, and means of livelihood due to the disease. While necessary measures like quarantine are employed to minimize the spread, other expected adverse impacts on people’s mental health are increased depression, loneliness, drug use, harmful alcohol, and suicidal behaviors.
In different ways, these happenings have elevated the rates of stress and anxiety amidst the masses – the mental health condition is now a major concern. Regardless of the actual events, most people may require trauma treatment programs like mental health retreat programs to improve their symptoms.
Some possible long-term mental health impacts of the Coronavirus are:
- Anxiety disorders and depression due to the imposed social distancing within the general population
- Higher risk of severe depression among healthcare workers than the general population
- Heightened risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression of people who contracted the Coronavirus and those that have lost loved ones
- Children may become more isolated in the long term.
- Adults who have lost their jobs may feel a loss of purpose and identity, leading to isolation and even depression.
- Anxiety and burnout among health workers can lead to PTSD. Some may even turn to alcohol to cope with the stress.
- People who already have previous or ongoing issues with substance abuse and mental health may be negatively affected by the pandemic.
How Mental Health Retreat Programs Impact Psychological Recovery?
The Coronavirus has been traumatic for many people. Since people deal with trauma differently, some may not even experience the symptoms until long after the event is over. It’s necessary to consider attending a mental health retreat program.
Here are some of the ways the program helps the mental health
Creating natural connections
One of the biggest impacts of the pandemic on the lives of people is the imposed isolation. While many people suffer from losing loved ones and their everyday activities, isolation may elevate their psychological distress level.
The opportunity to talk to a professional helps people that are struggling psychologically, emotionally, or socially rekindle their ability to engage and relate with others.
Mutual healing
The mental health retreats bring people to relate problems together and create a chance to heal mutually. Self-care activities such as silent walks, sharing food, arts and crafts, and conservation activities like planting, people maintain a sense of happiness, well-being, and belonging.
Digital Solutions to Mental Health Retreat Programs:
One of the main advantages of this era is that physical distancing doesn’t necessarily mean isolation. There are countless options of innovative digital solutions that can be applied to replace the regular interactions. Like the Intensive Therapy Retreats, some health organizations offer virtual platforms to provide people with as much support as possible.
With extra effort is applied to digital tools in reaching the vulnerable population, this method can regulate the elevating number of people experiencing mental illness, loneliness, or depression. Also, as individuals, there’s a need to develop and maintain or routines, even if it means switching to a digital platform.