Don’t forget about mental health!
Are you feeling stressed, anxious or depressed? The following advice can help you to intelligently deal with events stemming from the coronavirus COVID-19 epidemic here in Québec.
The current coronavirus (COVID-19) and related
How do these problems manifest themselves?
unprecedented preventive measures are a new reality, one that is not easy to deal with. For some, the measures can make an already difficult situation even more fragile for family, financial and/or social reasons. While an event of this size can affect your physical health, it can also impair your mental health by causing stress, anxiety or depression. But there are things you can do to improve how you manage these types of reactions. Most people will succeed in adapting to the situation, but paying attention to your needs remains very important. Don’t be afraid to do what is necessary to help yourself. If you are a close friend or family member of a person with disabilities, pay particular attention to signs of their stress, depression or anxiety if they are unable to clearly express them.
How to succeed in adapting?
What to do when distressed? When this unusual situation seems never-ending, your emotional reactions can become sharper. For example, you may feel greater fatigue, become overwhelmed by fear, have more trouble accomplishing your daily tasks or fear a greater risk of contagion. Pay attention to these signs of trouble ahead and, as soon as possible, reach out to the resources that are available to help. Experiencing financial worries? Increased stress related to financial insecurity can also arise during a pandemic. Loss of employment and income are a major source of anxiety for everyone, but it can become worse when we are in isolation. Many websites exist that offer help, such as the Québec.ca/coronavirus government site. The following website can also provide general assistance: ementalhealth.ca
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PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS • Headaches, neck tension, digestive problems
Take good care of yourself when you are in preventive isolation. Stay in touch with your close friends and family by telephone or Internet. Pay attention to your feelings and talk about them with someone you trust while yet abiding by social distancing recommendations. Speak with a friend and ask for help when you feel overwhelmed. It isn’t a sign of weakness but strength when you do what is necessary to get through it. Physical activity will
• Sleep problems • Loss of appetite
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PSYCHOLOGICAL AND EMOTIONAL SYMPTOMS • Worries and sense of insecurity • Feeling overwhelmed by events • Negative view of things or daily events • Discouragement, sadness or anger
also help reduce tension. Give yourself moments of
pleasure by listening to music or taking a warm bath: it will lower stress. Counting on your own strengths will help you to surf over the hard times.
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BEHAVIOURAL SYMPTOMS
• Difficulty concentrating • Irritability, aggression • Isolation, withdrawal from others • Increased use of alcohol, drugs and medication
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