Page 48 - Total War on PTSD

Self-isolation can worsen the mental health status of people who are prone to anxiety and social phobias. Cutting social bonds and isolation in general can have a negative impact on mental health. Maintaining consistent routines and interaction with people, as well as in person counseling sessions, are essential for people with social anxieties.
Following general mental health advice from the experts is helpful for most individuals dealing with anxiety and depression during this pandemic. One of the best coping strategies when it comes to trauma is “making media consumption a choice,” Bedard-Gilligan says. If the news is making you feel bad or negative, stop and ask yourself if the news is helping or hurting you. Be intentional about what you allow yourself to be immersed in, as to limit anxiety and depression.
Crisis is both a challenge and an opportunity to transform and acclimate. There are lessons to be learned from the past and Veterans must be the experts we look to for hope and solutions. Veterans (although a vulnerable population) provide clues and principles that may be pertinent to many groups globally during this pandemic. Taking care to understand our Veterans has always been a goal in mental health counseling. It is even more important now that we take care of each other. By following the recommendations of the VA, the WHO and psychologists, we will be able to ensure that we help traumatized individuals around the globe. Veterans can help us come up with solutions and tips that are tried and true, so that we can heal as a world after the pandemic has passed.
References:
Abdou, H., & Leila. (1970, January 1). Us versus them?: Covid-19 and its effects. Retrieved from https://cadmus.eui.eu/handle/1814/66680
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