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THE MENTAL HEALTH impact of Covid-19 is likely to be with us for a ‘long period of time’, the Psychological Society of Ireland has warned.
A new paper has warned that individuals across the country – but especially medical staff – are suffering from a range of mental health issues because of the impact of the coronavirus crisis.
The study, published today, suggests that nurses, women and “those working in virus epicentres” are bearing the brunt of the mental health impact of the pandemic.
Our colleagues at Noteworthy want to investigate the measures being taken to tackle a pandemic-induced mental health crisis. You can help fund them here.
The key warning is that the virus – for which a vaccine still remains unavailable – is likely to cause long-term mental health issues for society.
“Living through a catastrophe,” the report warns, “significantly increases risk of anxiety, stress, post-traumatic stress, depression, and substance use”.
“Multiple studies suggest around a three-fold increase in general mental health difficulties. People who are socially marginalised or who face secondary stressors are at greater risk.”
“Communities are more likely to be impaired if they are composed of youth rather than older or middle-aged adults,” the report warns.
As the country faces new restrictions in response to a spike in Covid-19 cases, the paper also warns that the measures taken to disrupt the transmission of the virus also play a role in causing distress.
Loneliness and isolation are a major source of difficulty for many, with the paper warning that young adults are feeling the highest levels of strain.
The paper says:
Evidence from Ireland indicated that in April 2020, loneliness had actually decreased in those aged 70 and over, while increasing in all other age groups and especially so in those aged 18-34 where prevalence more than doubled compared to two years ago.
The paper also warns that thought must go into any radical shift in how we work or how workplaces function because of the pandemic, so as to avoid causing further distress to staff.
“Principles of justice, equality, and fairness are integral to discussions, planning, and decision-making on practices resulting from regulatory or public health requirements,” the authors write.
“Employers and employees require agility and compassion to work toward a common purpose to sustain business, protect livelihoods, and keep people safe and financially secure.”
However, the paper also suggests that the new situation caused by the pandemic offers opportunities for better working systems too.
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A CE mark required for piece of weighted plastic and a ball bearing
FFS, where is all of this European crap going to bring us?
@Peter Hargan: it’d be interesting to see what the EU make of the 1970′s equivalent the clackers. Back then the Herald carried stories of kids losing an eye or getting repetitive strain injuries from clacking the nylon balls up and down too much.
@Peter Hargan: as said in the article a child had to have surgery to remove a piece lodged in his gullet- we need some regulations, as we know self regulation is no regulation
@Peter Hargan: Actually what is more interesting is that for items made in China then a CE mark stands for China Export and not a manufacturers declaration that the product complies with EU regulations.
Toys must comply with the Toy Safety Directive which I assume relate to safety and labelling and I would prefer to think that manufacturers of the toys I purchase will at least be declared compliant with the safety directives rather then anyone being allowed to make and sell whatever they like, safe or not, and give them to our children.
Without the CE mark we could be back to toys painted with lead laden paint – so I am in favour of at least some safety declaration.
I don’t understand how there can be such a thing as “Fake” fidget spinners since the patent ran out when the inventor couldn’t afford to pay.
The sub-title is misleading – these aren’t “fakes” they are dangerous ones.
@Ciarán FitzGerald: nope that story is bogus, her invention was nothing like what these spinners are
Where i live shops don’t call them “fidget spinners”……they call them “money spinners”
Meanwhile tonnes of heroin and cocaine enter the country under the noses of customs officials seen fidgeting with faulty fidget spinners
@Brian MacCarthaigh: LOL !
There’s a village near to where I live, there are countless residents there driving large Range Rovers, X-5s etc all with Northern registration plates. Customs staff, concentrate on the bigger picture, not on a few toys, toys which your colleagues if found to possess same while traveling through Dublin airport etc would be given nothing more than a nod and a wink.
Gardai are also reporting this but they’ve said..”2 fidget spinners siezed from children at a roadside checkpoint”
Fad Gadget.
@Blind Faith: ya think?
@Blind Faith: nice early 80s Avant Garde proto industrial electronic pop reference there
What a complete waste of effort – typing up and publishing this article and any associated comments.
Dead right, cause I remember there being ce marks on all the trees I played on growing up and the pebbles on the road always had small parts warnings
Or maybe people weren’t a bunch of overly controlled morons being told their every move by regulations.
nanny state,
I Love them
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