Psychological Impact of COVID-19 and Coping Strategies in Pakistan

Abstract

Coronavirus, 2019 has affected in excess of 217 nations with more than 2.5 million avowed cases and many casualties. The erratic and unsure outbreak has antagonistically influenced the mental wellbeing of the whole community. At present, all research efforts are centered on the comprehension of the study of disease transmission, clinical highlights, and method of transmission, balance the spread of the infection, and difficulties of worldwide wellbeing, while urgently significantly psychological wellness has been disregarded in this undertaking.

In December 2019, the eject of coronavirus was found in Wuhan city of China which immediately spread in China then around the globe. Be that as it may, the impacts of Corona are distinctive in every nation because of numerous factors such as region, race, health care systems, resources and governance policies. The covid-19 is characterized as epidemiological and psychological crises. It has coercively changed the ways of life of the entire world which in turns affected both physical and mental prosperity of the whole community. Regardless of the low mortality ratio, great challenges such as financial crises, the dread of death, instability, future insecurity, lockdown, forced unemployment, weak health care system, ban on religious celebrations, stigma, travel restrictions, global economic crises, misinfodemics about the disease (hatching period and demise proportion), discrimination, future uncertainty and general impact on education have challenged the psychological and mental health of the Pakistani community. Individuals are confronting alarm assaults, discouragement, self-pity, dejection and suicide ideation while keeping social removing or being isolated without getting any help from loved ones.  

The objective behind the study is to review the literature on causes, hazard factors and unfavourable impacts of the COVID-19 on human’s psychological health and mental prosperity intends to propose coping strategies. Past literature published through different channels to survey the effects of a pandemic such as COVID-19 on the mental prosperity of people is utilized for this study.

General Coping strategies for all age groups proposed by WHO and by psychologists with direct repercussions for the psychological and mental prosperity of Pakistani individuals can diminish the impact of pandemic erupts. Mental life can be improved by avoiding binge-watching reports on COVID-19 through social media, being realistic with facts of the disease, stick with government guidelines, social isolation, individual hygiene, adopting a positive way of life, family work-life balance, CBT coping,  information through reliable sources and creating empathy, love and care for masses.