COVID-19 pandemic has been one of the worst and biggest global crises in generations. From taking multiple lives to pushing people in isolation and leaving them jobless, the global pandemic has led to many severe health, financial and social issues. The rate of depression and anxiety has also increased at an alarming rate. According to WHO , the global prevalence of anxiety and depression has increased by an alarming 25 percent during the first year of COVID-19.
Another study has found that about four in ten adults in the U.S. reported symptoms of anxiety or depression during the pandemic as compared to one in ten adults who reported these between January and June 2019. This study has also found that around 56 percent of young adults reported symptoms of anxiety and depression during the pandemic. Approximately 53 percent of those who lost their jobs during the pandemic were also found to be at a higher risk of developing symptoms of mental illness. The risk of developing symptoms of anxiety and depression during the pandemic were reported to be higher among women with children (49 percent) as compared to men with children (40 percent).
A report by Lancet Regional Health has found that around 32.8 percent of U.S. adults experienced an increased rate of depressive symptoms in 2021 as compared to 27.8 percent of adults in the early months of the pandemic in 2020, and 8.5 percent before the pandemic. As per another report by WHO Europe, the pandemic has caused an increase in the risk of developing behavioral issues and feelings of anxiety and loneliness in young individuals due to social isolation and disconnectedness. Women and children are now at a higher risk of developing mental health issues as they are being made to stay at home.
As the pandemic nears its end, it is extremely important to take the necessary steps and curb the risk of developing the symptoms of depression in individuals. A few of these are as mentioned below:
- Follow a routine :The pandemic made our lives unstructured and unorganized. People were unable to understand how to begin and end their day. This gradually started to take a toll on their mental health. Therefore, with pandemic nearing its end, it is important to plan and follow a set routine each day to bring our lives back on track.
- Take self-care :It is important to understand the need of taking good care of oneself. One must be careful about their physical health and therefore, they must engage in activities that keep them healthy such as taking a good sleep, engaging in regular exercise, eating healthy, avoiding alcohol and limited screen time.
- Limited exposure to social media : Social media plays an important role in our everyday lives. It affects the way we perceive things. Therefore, one must make sure that he/she limits his/her exposure to these sources and stay as positive as possible. Reading information only from reliable sources is the best way to stay updated and avoid the risk of developing symptoms of depression.
- Stay positive:COVID-19 might has affected many of us in different ways. Either it has taken away our loved ones or has left us in a deep financial trouble, things are not at all the way they were before the pandemic hit the world. Therefore, to lead a healthy and happy life, it is important to understand the need of staying positive and how it may help curb the risk of depression. Staying hopeful and surrounding oneself with positive people can surely help.
- Make connections : Socializing is one of the best ways to fight against the symptoms of depression and anxiety. If you are fully vaccinated, there is no harm in mingling up with people and going for walks, chatting, and engaging in other outdoor activities.
Seek Help
Depression is one of the most common and severe mental health issues affecting many around us. While many might take it lightly, it is important to understand that the condition affects an individual in multiple ways such as loss of appetite, fatigue, feeling of helplessness, guilt, and grief. Therefore, it is essential that one must seek the right kind of help at the right time.
If you are on a lookout for the best mental health counsellor in your vicinity, contact Athena Behavioral Health today and our team of trained psychologists and psychiatrists can provide you with the best counselling sessions for depression. For more information, call our WhatsApp number 9289086193 to speak to a representative.
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