COVID-19 has exacerbated mental health problems – Health Minister

…leads to training for frontline health-care providers

By Rupa Sewnaraine

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has impacted not only the health of people worldwide but has also strained the mental health composite of many individuals. This includes relatives of patients, healthcare workers and even persons who may have been affected by the pandemic.
Having realised that mental problems have been triggered by the current situation, the Health Ministry on Monday commenced its second leg of training, this time it was specifically conducted to frontline healthcare workers.
Speaking at the opening, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony explained that many mental health programmes have remained underfunded and understaffed, thus the reach is limited. However, now is the time when there is a greater need.
“Mental health is essential for good health and wellbeing in our society. However, we often ignored its importance, and we have consistently understaffed and underfund these programmes. As a result, we do not have enough qualified personnel to adequately diagnose people with mental health vulnerabilities. The current pandemic has now exacerbated these problems.”

He pointed out that the threat of infection, repeated lockdowns, curfews, social isolation, and economic uncertainty have created widespread fear and anxiety. Studies have also shown the adverse psychological effects of enforced institutional quarantines and isolation. Along with this, persons are facing the brunt of misinformation in the public domain.
“In addition to the real or perceived challenges of the pandemic, we now also have an infodemic. This phenomenon is characterised by a flood of fake news and misinformation, that is spread on social media and other outlets, it travels faster and further and the erroneous message is quickly amplified. These false messages have catalysed to raise people’s anxiety and fears and has become a real threat in disrupting our public health programmes,” the Minister explained.
According to a survey done by the World Health Organisation (WHO), people with severe pre-existing and enduring mental health conditions have been mostly affected by COVID-19-related disruptions of mental health-care systems.
Other vulnerable groups include children and adolescents, many of whom he said: “have been impacted by school closures, stretched health systems, restricted access to nutritious food, breakdown in family relationships, neglect, and abuse.” On the other hand, the older patients and those with comorbidities are afraid of contracting the virus, which poses a negative effect.
“Many persons who died had comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, cancers, acute or chronic kidney diseases and immunocompromising diseases. There is little doubt why many persons with pre-existing health conditions are terrified and lonely, afraid of infection, dying, and losing family members while physically distanced from loved ones and friends,” Dr Anthony highlighted.
Moreover, he emphasised that healthcare workers are facing a greater risk of infection, stigmatisation, and stressful workloads, with the attendant psychological repercussions.
“This course will teach healthcare workers how to cope with stress, how to detect people with mental health vulnerabilities and how to counsel and assist them through these challenges,” the Minister assured.
Recently appointed PAHO/WHO Country Representative, Dr Luis Phillipe Codina acknowledged that there is little support and financial input across the region for mental health.
It was indicated that just placing the issue in the hands of the psychiatrist is not the only mechanism that should be taken. Codina suggested that COVID-19 is a good opportunity to analyse mental health and access what are the issues facing people.
“It could be a good opportunity to change some things in the management of mental health in the country…It is not so different as mental health in other countries. We have to strengthen international response and capacity,” he indicated.
It is also important to develop surveillance in mental health while revisiting communication tools and replacing them with modern technology. This reform can result in a new model to address such issues.
Meanwhile, Director of Mental Health Unit, Dr Util Thomas Richmond asserted that this training for frontline healthcare providers is going to take Guyana to an admirable level. She noted that while the country is dependent on human capital to overcome the virus, the human resources is even more vital.
She also shared the view that mental health is not adequately funded around the world but the demand for these services is very high, since approximately one in five persons suffers from mental health issues.
There is also a proliferation of alcohol abuse and violence. There is also an increase in marijuana abuse, which is reflected in the street population and admissions to psychiatric units.
Adding to this, Mental Health Advisor at PAHO, Dr Maria del Carmen Martinez Viciana spoke about mental health and psychosocial aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
She said Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) is the key to stopping transmission. This can be done by distributing timely factual information, providing MHPSS to people in isolation, protecting the mental health of all responders and the vulnerable population; and addressing the basic needs of people.
Stressors linked to the pandemic are rumours and misinformation, closure of schools and children’s activity spaces, travel restrictions, physical isolation or quarantine; avoidance of health facilities, risk of relapse in pre-existing health conditions and fear of infection. There is also the problem of discrimination towards those persons who have been infected, social stigma of caring for patients or specific population groups.