Westlake Word

The Coronavirus is a heavily talked about topic in the media today. Every single day, no matter what platform you are on, the worldwide pandemic is being discussed. What many do not hear about in the media is the toll of the mental health that this virus is taking on the people working and in quarantine. 

 

Since the start of this virus, there has been an influx in stress, and social isolation in many. The idea of “social distancing” and staying six feet apart from people, even those related to you, is a foreign concept that many have never heard of before and are struggling to deal with. 

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Workers on the front line have been risking their lives to protect those staying home. Lisa Gutierrez, a frontline worker at Greenwich Hospital, said she has seen a shift in the way her staff is interacting. Her staff had to quickly learn how to come together because they are all a part of one team, she said. 

 

The idea of uniting for the greater good was one of the main focuses. Gutierrez said, “I do feel that my mental health has been affected, like many others have been. I try to find healthy ways to cope with it like working out, cooking, and finding stuff that takes my mind off of the craziness surrounding me.”

 

Finding ways to cope with these fluctuating emotions is what is most beneficial for everyone's health. The mental health of the people staying in quarantine themselves at home and being kept from work are feeling it as well. For example, Eddie Gutierrez, a city worker home from work due to the Coronavirus, feels that this virus was almost like an awakening for many, including himself. 

 

He said, “This outbreak has taught me how to be more humble and grateful than I thought I was. Losing someone very close to me has taught me the importance of family and friends, and above all to not sweat the small things that life throws at you.” 

 

In stating this, he was speaking on behalf of many. Many truly do not realize how valuable and amazing life is. We only realize how lucky we are in times like these. 

 

He stated, “Having my wife work on the front lines of this worldwide pandemic is a really scary thought because the health of our family is being jeopardized. This virus is no joke. That being said, I admire her strength and resilience for putting her life at risk for the benefit of myself and others everyday.”. 

 

He feels that if everyone does their part and stays home, we will be able to mask this virus. By staying home, off the media and keeping busy, he finds it is the best way possible to strengthen his mental health. 

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It is evident that the mental health of our nation as a whole is suffering. Mental health is something that affects many people every day but is often left unspoken of. Although it is unfortunate that light is being shed on it under these circumstances, it is important that people know what is going on in the lives of the people surrounding them so they better understand how to treat them especially in times like these. 

 

William Wan of the Washington Post stated, “Federal agencies and experts warn that a historic wave of mental health problems is approaching; depression, substance abuse, post - traumatic stress disorder, and suicide.” 

 

With over seven billion people in the world, it is scary to think that a majority of them will get hit with a mental illness. Due to the limited space in doctors’ offices, many people are deprived from seeing therapists that they would normally visit weekly. Thankfully, doctors are offering to meet with their patients via zoom, facetime or just regular phone calls. They are extending their hands to ensure that their patients have someone to talk to at all times which is very important and admirable.

 

Data from online talk spaces were said to have drastically increased since the spread of the virus. According to Wan, it is apparent that mental health is a rising problem. During this time, it is most important that people allot time for themselves to ensure that they maintain positive and healthy.

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This stigma was triggered by the unfortunate worldwide pandemic going on around us in the world today. Mental health is no joke, and is something that should be normalized.  Just because things are changing in the world around us, it does not mean they are bad changes. Normalizing talking about mental health is something that needs to be changed for the better of our nation as a whole. 

 

 

Works Cited

Gutierrez, Eddie. Interview. 4 May 2020.

Gutierrez, Lisa. Interview. 5 May 2020.

Wan, William. "The Coronavirus Pandemic is Pushing America into a Mental Health Crisis." Washington Post, Fred Ryan, 4 May 2020, www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/05/04/mental-health-coronavirus/. Accessed 13 May 2020.