Page 43 - Total War on PTSD

The effects of COVID-19 are still being studied around the world, therefore we don’t know what the consequences of this pandemic will be long term. However, looking at previous outbreaks will give us the tools to revise how we deal with these mental health effects. Luckily, we have technology and virtual counseling available to us now, whereas 40 years ago this was impossible.
Because the U.S. has still not reached its peak for COVID-19, we must look to China for studies on how the pandemic has changed life as they know it in the short term. A recent Chinese Psychology Society survey found that “42.6% of 18,000 Chinese citizens who are still free of coronavirus have clinically significant levels of anxiety related to the coronavirus epidemic” (Dorfman & Dorfman, 2020). Clinically significant depression was identified in “16.6% of surveyed individuals. Up to 40% of SARS survivors suffered from depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) 30 months later, which is higher than the 20-30% PTSD rate after natural disasters” (Dorfman & Dorfman, 2020). Healthcare providers in the most highly affected regions are also at higher risk of mental distress.
Additionally, as the world progressively deals with the COVID-19 epidemic, other natural catastrophes (earthquakes, floods, fires, and tornadoes) or public health emergencies (influenza in the U.S.) have simultaneously occurred. These events pose serious threats to people and have resulted in a great loss of people’s lives and property. By March 21, 2020, “15 earthquakes had occurred in China during the COVID-19 outbreak, increasing the fears, concerns, and anxiety of more than 1.4 billion Chinese people about natural disasters and public health
emergencies” (China Earthquake Administration, 2020). “Flash floods, bushfires, and dust
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