A Next Pandemic Awaits

The mental health toll of the coronavirus pandemic is beginning to show itself. It is an altogether different kind of cataclysm- an ongoing, wavelike threat that seems to be both everywhere and nowhere, a contagion nearly as psychological as it is physical.

Due to the strict lockdown, people have been emotionally distressed. And it cannot be denied that the suicide rates have been rising since the beginning of pandemic and a solution has to be done or else, the next pandemic that awaits is a mental health pandemic.

As a concerned citizen, if you are one of the people planning to take your life, DON’T DO IT.

As bad as you may think your problems are, it is not the end of the world. Life is God’s gift to all of us, so don’t give it back to Him until you’ve lived it out completely. There are many pleasant surprises still in store for you, but you won’t get to enjoy them if you give up now, most especially, after this pandemic. Let’s conquer this pandemic together. Don’t lose hope yet.

Are you struggling with guilt? There are no mistakes that can’t be forgiven because even if your own loved ones won’t forgive you, God always forgives. Are you in hurt or in pain? Whatever pain you feel now may seem unbearable, but everyone gets through pain, one breath at a time, one step at a time, and one day at a time. Nobody goes through life without making mistakes or without getting hurt, but everyone always gets a second chance.

It’s okay to not feel okay. Don’t invalidate your feelings because it’s normal to have those days. It is necessary to slow down and allow yourself to wallow in what you are feeling. You shut the world for a time so that, eventually, you have created space to let the world back in. When you are ready, you  may share it to a trusted friend who can help you process your emotions. Don’t be afraid to open up, a true friend will always be ready to help.

Mental health is an important part of overall health and wellbeing. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It may also affect how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. So here are some tips I took from Mental Health Foundation on how to take care of our mental health: