Caring for Your Emotional Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic

By David Nakayama, DET Corp Comms

While the health risks and devastation of COVID dominate the news for the past year, a daily feed of gloom and doom can chip away at our emotional and mental health as well.

You are not alone if you get depressed because a loved one is sick, sense isolation during quarantine or lockdown, feel scared to go to the production line, panic every time your Skype notification rings, or stay awake at night thinking about how to pay your bills or continue your kid's education.

Even our kids can be affected. In a 2020 Thailand UNICEF survey, more than 7 in 10 children and young people reported the pandemic was affecting their mental health, causing stress, worry and anxiety. The biggest worry among respondents is the uncertainty of their family’s financial status.

A January article by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), states that COVID-related stress can cause the following:

• Feelings of fear, anger, sadness, worry, numbness, or frustration
• Changes in appetite, energy, desires, and interests
• Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
• Difficulty sleeping or nightmares
• Physical reactions, such as headaches, body pains, stomach problems, and skin rashes
• Worsening of chronic health problems
• Worsening of mental health conditions
• Increased use of tobacco, alcohol, and other substances

The CDC recommends the following ways that you can help yourself, others, and your community to manage stress:

• Take breaks from COVID news, including on social media. Be informed, but consider limiting news to just a couple of times a day.
• Take care of your body. Exercise, have a healthy diet, get rest, avoid excessive alcohol, tobacco, and substance use.
• Continue with routine preventive measures.
• Get vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine when available.
• Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy.
• Connect with others.
• Connect with your community- or faith-based organizations (with social distancing)

It’s important that you are always aware of your emotional and mental state and that you seek help and guidance early and often. In Thailand, you can use the Mental Health Check Up app by the Department of Mental Health to keep tabs on your mental wellbeing. Please note that this app is only in Thai.

Remember, you must never suffer in silence. If you or a workmate is feeling overwhelmed or stressed during this challenging time, don’t hesitate to talk to your supervisor and feel free to consult with the HR or ER departments anytime.

If you or anyone you know is experiencing an emotional crisis or is suffering mental health issues GET HELP IMMEDIATELY! In Thailand, you can call The Samaritans of Thailand on (02) 713-6791 or the Department of Mental Health Hotline on 1323 (Thai).

About the Author (Editorial Team)

David Nakayama

If content is king, there must be a kingmaker. And the universal theme in my favorite stories is our innate human desire for freedom. I have a master’s degree in Chinese education and experience spanning industries and countries. As the Comms guy at DET, I’m obsessed with the stories behind our products and people. Share your stories with me  https://www.linkedin.com/in/yushi-david-nakayama/

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