By Nobukhosi Moyo
As the whole region is currently on nationwide lockdown for almost 2 months now in an attempt to curb the spread of Covid 19, a lot of people are experiencing or have experienced different emotions in this period of their lives that is from sadness, loneliness, fear to feeling blessed and grateful for their lives spared.
Covid 19 has killed more than 327 thousand people around the world and has wreaked havoc not only to the health systems of countries that were hard hit like ltaly the US and Spain but has also it has brought a global recession. Some companies have closed down and people are wondering whether they will be able to provide for their families again, since they have lost their jobs, homes and for them there is no hope for the next day. This however has had a negative effect on people’s mental health
Since the beginning of the lockdown a lot of people have gone online to express how the lockdown has had an effect on their mental health especially by the time when it all started and we believe that was connected to isolation and staying at home, l mean it wasn’t the normal that as the people are used to, spending the whole day indoors when people are used the freedom of going in and out as they please.
Psychologists have stated that the reasons for mental issues and stress during the lockdown were due to fear of becoming sick of infection will l get the virus?, fear of losing their loved ones people are wondering if they are going to make it alive as well as the prospect of financial hardships and information overload But as most countries are starting to ease the lockdown restrictions some people have chosen to remain indoors as they feel safer there and the toll on mental health is starting to become apparent
This pandemic and uncertainty have exacerbated anxiety and depression in those already suffering or struggling with mental issues and those that are experiencing this for the first time in their lives. More cases of mental health issues and suicide have been reported throughout the lockdown and are clearly related to the lockdown. In recognising this the WHO organisation has encouraged governments to set up free online counselling platforms and toll-free lines where they can get someone whom they can talk to whenever they feel down. People have been encouraged to make sure they constantly check on their loved ones in these trying times. Since the WHO warned that covid 19 may never go away we are then encouraged to keep social distance, sanitize always and make sure we are doing the best we can to protect ourselves and those around us so we serve Lives
NUST JOURNAL-ZW 