COVID-19 and mental health: information & advice

The recent infection with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), which causes the COVID-19 disease, has rapidly become the most acute health problem worldwide, recently declared a “pandemic” by the World Health Organization (WHO). Over the past five days, drastic measures have also been taken in Romania, such as cancelling all events with more than 100 people, closing schools and suspending the export of medicines abroad.

Most people focus on the threat that the virus poses to physical health, which should indeed be taken very seriously indeed: the virus is highly contagious and potentially lethal, and so far there is no cure.

However, we would like to point out that the impact of such an epidemic or pandemic on mental health is equally important. The permanent risk of contracting the virus, the flood of information and opinions that reaches us, the thoughts that involuntarily enter our minds, especially in conditions of quarantine and isolation, can have negative psychological consequences, especially for people with pre-existing mental health conditions, such as those suffering from anxiety, panic, obsessive-compulsive tendencies or who have suffered trauma in the past.

Many people without facial features wearing medical masks

Such times can seem scary, but there are a few things you can do, whether in isolation or not, with friends and family to look after each other’s wellbeing and mental health:

1. Only get your information from official and reliable sources

Being informed is extremely important to make the right decisions, but only with good quality information. Don’t listen to everything you read on the internet/social media. The website and Facebook page of the Ministry of Health, as well as the WHO page, are good sources to get your information, being also the main sources for news channels/websites.

A girl with a confused look in front of her laptop

2. Follow hygiene tips

The simplest way to combat anxiety is to ensure we take all necessary measures to prevent transmission, especially frequent hand washing for 20 seconds; you can find the full list on the Ministry of Health website (http://www.ms.ro/coronavirus-covid-19/).

Images with 3 tips on how to protect yourself during the Coronavirus pandemic

3. Don’t spend all day looking for news, and try to limit the flow of information

Check what’s happened 2-3 times a day and then take a break from information and try to think about something else. If you feel the flow of information is too much, stop following unofficial news sources or people and stick only to the essentials from official sources.

4. Be aware and open about your own fears

It’s difficult to stop worrying, but you can acknowledge it and not “keep it in”: for example, by writing about it on paper or a laptop, or talking to a loved one. For specialised help, DepreHub has launched a helpline dedicated to anxiety and panic attacks during the spread of COVID-19 (0374.456.420) and also offers free counselling sessions of up to 30 minutes.

5. Relax and take care of your physical state

Actively try to reduce stress and anxiety by doing relaxation exercises and engaging in relaxing activities or ones that cheer you up. Also try to get enough sleep, eat well and stay active.

Window view of a woman sitting relaxed and reading

Illustration by Brittany England

6. Try to continue your daily routine

For some people, the interruption of routine while staying at home can be detrimental to mental health. Continue, as much as you can, to have a similar work/study schedule, if that makes you feel good.

7. Avoid unhealthy habits

Stress and anxiety can exacerbate unhealthy habits, such as smoking or alcohol consumption. It is important to be aware of this and try to avoid them, especially if they subsequently cause anxiety.

8. Think positively about the future

It is perfectly reasonable to be optimistic and think that the pandemic will pass, especially since drastic measures have been and continue to be taken in Romania, and the first countries that fought the infection (China, Hong Kong, Singapore) have already managed to control it. Treat this period as a (well-deserved) break or as an experimentation of “virtual life”, and start making future plans (for example, how you will have fun in 6 months!).

9. Be there for friends and family

Social support is perhaps the most important part of mental health, and it can be jeopardised in conditions of social distancing. If you are staying at home alone, continue to communicate with friends and family via the internet. If you have a loved one who is isolated alone at home, make sure they don’t feel lonely. Be open about your worries and understanding of others’.

Three people communicating via phone, tablet and laptop, respectively

We hope our recommendations help you get through this period more smoothly and safely! It’s important to support each other because, after all, we are all in this, together!