Impact of COVID-19 on mental health of students, healthcare professionals, and employees

In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, the global economy has gone through unprecedented challenges. Students and working professionals had to shift from offline work culture to online setup quickly. This has affected people on many scales, but mental health has taken a serious toll.

Here, the mental health context emphasizes the appearance of psycho-social risks which push students, employees, and medical professionals further into a downward spiral. The pandemic has already created enough worry, grief, and stress. Not being able to deal with these emotions is triggering many mental health-related issues.

Students worry about their future and learning experience:
Since the spread of COVID-19, schools and colleges are closed, and students are bound to their homes. The usual school routine of meeting friends, participating in school activities including sports, dance, debate competitions, and attending lectures in person have been cancelled completely. This leads to anxiety, sorrow, an unsettled mindset and makes them feel disconnected from the world.

A new study done by researchers at UNSW Science, UNSW Business School, and Asia University shows that the mental health of the population aged between 18 and 34 is affected the most by COVID-19. The study included 6,475 participants, and 50 per cent of young adults surveyed stated that they feel moderate mental distress.

According to a survey by TimelyMD, 85% of college students experience increased stress and/or anxiety due to COVID-19. 72% of students feel uncertain about the academic future, 61% fear falling behind in the syllabus, and 60% find remote learning hard.

Covid-19 pandemic is impacting employees:
There are studies that show increased anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts among employees across the world. Professionals such as business leaders, artisan traders, and those who have lost their jobs or are unemployed are strongly feeling these emotions in the Corona-impacted world.

National Institute for Health Care Management (NIHCM) published a data insight focusing on 2019 and 2020 research and survey. It showed that the COVID-19 is impacting the mental health status of employees. Among the surveyed people, 51% of employees stated that they feel anxiety and distress at work since the COVID-19 has started. Employees also feel that they have no one to talk to or turn to when they face issues or wish to share. 54% of U.S. employees fear losing their jobs. There are many applications available in the market that are motivating users to meditate, share, exercise, or indulge in creative activities to burn the stress levels down.

Impact of COVID-19 on healthcare professions:
If there is anyone who is at risk while dealing with COVID-19 infected patients, it is a medical professional. They have to cure the patients as quickly and securely as possible. This adds to the stress levels and sometimes makes them feel helpless.

Many hospitals using healthcare technology find it feasible to share and store crucial patients’ data during the COVID-19 crisis. Treating patients in time becomes possible due to the technology. As per one research report published by Allied Market Research, the global mental health market is anticipated to reach $537.97 million by 2030.

Apart from healthcare technology, other advanced innovations such as cloud solutions, remote working applications, video calling applications, and digital planners are helping users to manage their day well. Users can stay in touch with others in both personal and professionals spaces.

In the post COVID world, these technologies can be relied on in order to meet our personal and professional commitments.

Written by Sunny Yadav

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