The document discusses the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health. It explains that the pandemic and public health measures like social distancing can cause fear, anxiety, stress and make people feel isolated. This in turn can worsen existing mental health conditions and increase risks like substance abuse. The document provides tips on coping with stress like connecting with others, taking breaks from news, practicing self-care and continuing treatment for pre-existing conditions. It emphasizes the importance of mental health during these times and notes that some groups are especially vulnerable to severe impacts on their mental wellbeing from the pandemic.

1. MENTAL
HEALTH
AND THE
COVID-19
PANDEMIC

2. OBJECTIVES
After this session, learners will be able
to understand the covid-19 pandemic
and its effects on mental health
01
02
03
INFORMATION
Underlying effects of the pandemic
on mental health
AWARENESS
Suggested tips and coping
mechanisms to help during the
pandemic
WHAT CAN YOU DO?

3. INFORMATION
The science behind covid-19
and its effects on mental
health

4. PANDEMIC?
EPIDEMIC? WHAT’S
THE DIFFERENCE?
AN EPIDEMIC is a disease that
affects a large number of
people within a community,
population, or region.
A PANDEMIC is an epidemic
that’s spread over multiple
countries or continents.

5. STILL
CONFUSED?
A simple way to know the
difference between an epidemic
and a pandemic is to remember
the “P” in pandemic, which means
a pandemic has a passport. A
pandemic is an epidemic that
travels.

6. CORONAVIRUS? COVID? COVID-19?
CORONAVIRUS
Coronaviruses are a large family of
viruses which may cause illness in
animals or humans. In humans, several
coronaviruses are known to cause
respiratory infections ranging from the
common cold to more severe diseases.
COVID-19
COVID-19 is the infectious disease
caused by the most recently discovered
coronavirus. This new virus and disease
were unknown before the outbreak
began in Wuhan, China, in December
2019.

7. COVID-19 is the
name of the disease.
SARS-CoV-2 is the
virus that causes the
disease.

8. HOW DOES THE
PANDEMIC AFFECT
OUR MENTAL
HEALTH?

9. ● The coronavirus disease 2019
(COVID-19) pandemic may be
stressful for people. Fear and
anxiety about a new disease and
what could happen can be
overwhelming and cause strong
emotions in adults and children.

10. ● Public health actions, such as
social distancing, can make people
feel isolated and lonely and can
increase stress and anxiety.
However, these actions are
necessary to reduce the spread of
COVID-19.

11. EFFECTS OF
STRESS DURING
THE PANDEMIC
1. Fear and worry over
one’s own health and
the health of his
loved ones
3. Changes in sleep and
eating patterns
2. Difficulty sleeping or
concentrating
4. Worsening chronic
health problems

12. EFFECTS OF
STRESS DURING
THE PANDEMIC
5. Worrying about the
loss of one’s job or
support services
(finances)
7. Worsening mental
health conditions
6. Increased use of
tobacco, alcohol
and/or other
substances

13. Everyone reacts
differently to
stressful
situations.
The changes that can happen because of the
COVID-19 pandemic and the ways we try to contain
the spread of the virus can affect anyone.

14. Who are those
people who may
respond more
strongly to the
stress of a crisis?

15. People with high risk
of sever illness
Children and teens People caring for
loved ones
Healthcare workers
and front liners
People with existing
mental
conditions
People who use
substances or
with substance
use disorder

16. People who lost their jobs,
had work hours
reduced, had changes
in their employment
People with
disabilities
People who are
socially isolated,
live alone in rural
areas
Some racial and
ethnic minority
groups
People who do not
have access to
information in
their primary
language
People experiencing
homelessness

17. How can we cope with
stress during the pandemic?

18. ● Taking care of your friends and
your family can be a stress
reliever, but it should be balanced
with care for yourself. Helping
others cope with their stress, such
as by providing social support,
can also make your community
stronger.

19. Healthy ways to cope
with stress

20. Be informed.
Know everything you
need about the
disease, what do to,
who to contact, where
to get treatment.
Manage your emotions.
Taking care of your
emotions will help you
think clearly.
Take breaks from
stressful information.
Hearing about the
pandemic repeatedly
can be upsetting.
Take care of your
body.
Eat healthy, exercise,
fix your sleep schedule,
avoid excessive
alcohol/tobacco use.

21. Practice self-care.
Do some things you
enjoy. Make time to
unwind.
Connect with others.
Talk to your friends and
family about how you
feel.
Avoid fake news.
Fabricated news
intended to cause fear
and worry can worsen
your stress.
Do what you can to
help.
Donating extra food,
promoting small
businesses, sharing good
news, and even the smallest
acts can be very helpful.

22. Take care of your
mental health.
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 during an emergency.

23. ● People with pre-existing mental conditions
or substance abuse disorders are
vulnerable during this time.
● Mental health conditions affect a person’s
feeling and thinking and influences their
ability to function.
● People with pre-existing mental conditions
should continue with their treatment and be
aware of worsening symptoms.

24. Suicide
● Feelings of isolation, depression,
anxiety, and other emotional or
financial stresses are known to raise
the risk for suicide. People may be
more likely to experience these
feelings during a crisis like a
pandemic.

25. What are your thoughts on the pandemic? How do
you cope with the stress?

26. Final thoughts
This pandemic, so far, has been the
biggest challenge any of us have
faced this year.
Our faith is needed now more than
ever. Faith in our front liners who are
doing their very best to combat this
disease. Faith in ourselves to remain
steadfast amidst the pandemic.
Faith in God to give us strength and
protection.

27. REFERENCES
Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19. (n.d.).
Retrieved August 25, 2020, from
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-
coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html
Q&A on coronaviruses (COVID-19). (n.d.). Retrieved August
25, 2020, from
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-
coronavirus-2019/question-and-answers-hub/q-a-detail/q-
a-coronaviruses

28. Thank you.
Any questions or inquiries?
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