Dear friends,
This post kind of ties into the mental health epidemic post I did a few days ago, but I felt that this topic deserved its own post. So, read on if mental health interests you like it does me.
Since the COVID pandemic broke out in the world about two years ago, a lot has happened and a lot of things have changed---I feel silly even writing that because it's so obvious. But, it is worth mentioning, because all of the things that have happened and all of the changes that have occurred may have a part in the decline of mental health across the globe.
First, change. I learned a lot about change over the past semester in my organizational change and behavior class, and most of it will stick with me forever as I find it SO important in our current and ever-evolving society. Change is not something we humans fancy very much, and a lot of change within a short amount of time can wreak havoc on the mind and body. Inherently, the COVID-19 pandemic brought about a lot of change in a time when people were already stressed about health, loved ones, finances, etc. which led to a lot of individuals' mental health suffering.
Second, isolation and social disconnect. Isolation has been more and more common in pandemic times, and mental health is suffering because of it. Humans are social creatures, and connection with others is a must-have for a healthy individual. Obviously, having alone time every now and then, or more frequently than that for introverts, is fine, but being forced into isolation for long periods of time can be detrimental to someone who is already struggling for other reasons. Not to mention, putting an overthinker in isolation may make them think of new things to worry about when there wasn't anything to worry about in the first place---AKA..me. That person is me. I am a highly intellectual person, love being with people, and putting myself in isolation for long periods of time is simply not good for my mental health---unfortunately, that's a lot of people.
From those I have talked to, isolation can be one of the worst parts of COVID and can create lingering mental effects that may be burdensome. Furthermore, other effects from COVID can lead to mental health issues as well, especially for those with long-lasting pain, symptoms, or financial worries from medical treatment.
Third, social applications and the media, in general, are having a negative effect on mental health, especially during COVID. During COVID, especially when an individual has to quarantine or isolate, what is one thing most people always have on them? Yes. The correct answer I was looking for is "a phone." If you said, "T.V.," or "internet," I'll give it to you as well. Unfortunately, negativity, toxicity, and misinformation are all much too common within social media these days. Of course, it goes without saying that each individual is responsible for how much time they spend on their phone, watching the news, or scrolling through social media, but nowadays, it's a little more complicated than that.
You see, media and social applications are now a part of most people's daily life now, especially in America. In other words, escaping media is a little bit harder to do than it's made out to be. With text messaging applications, businesses and governments relying on these platforms, digitalization, tied in calendars, health apps, home appliances, etc., "putting your phone away" is a little more difficult to do now than it used to be, and I don't necessarily think it's people's fault to blame, especially when we have been conditioned for so long to always have our phone on hand.
So, yes, media has been having a negative effect on mental health, especially since COVID, but there are also benefits to increasing digitalization in certain sectors. All in all, society needs to find the balance between technology and mental health while ending the promotion of negativity/misinformation because it gets more views. Also, be mindful of how much time you are spending on social media, because the joy created by spending time scrolling around online is nowhere near the amount one gets when truly living life.
Anyways, I just wanted to share some of my thoughts surrounding the worsening mental health of society recently and throughout the COVID pandemic.
Also, feel free to comment, share, or post your own thoughts on this! I love hearing other people's perspectives, especially when it comes to anything relating to psychology! Not to mention, knowledge is power, and everyone has something important to say.
Take care, and do something for yourself today.
Until next time,
Allie