This pandemic has been hard on so many people, and in so many ways. I regularly speak with people who have, over the last nine months, experienced huge changes in the way they live, work, and interact with other people. Almost without being aware of it some people are ringing us, not because they want specific pieces of information (which is their presenting reason for ringing), but because they want to try and make sense of the things that are happening to them. So many people I speak to have, virtually overnight, lost their familiar way of life and they are struggling to come to terms with that.
As I talk with people the most common emotion they express is a perfectly natural yearning for the past, for things to return back to the way they were. Many are still trying to process the enormity and pace of the changes in their communities and their way of life. There is a sort of grieving process for all they have lost, and some people still need to work their way through that, including the denial and anger that so often accompanies grief.
I do ask people, what are the things that are stressing you most about the pandemic and the effects of lockdown. There a range of things, some are very particular to individuals, but there are a number of fairly common themes that readers may recognise: Local studies that have been done seem to confirm what we have been finding. So to the question, what causes you the most stress?
The fear of loved ones becoming infected by the virus. Most people say they get their information from national & local news, central government website and social media. They feel reasonably confident that they, and their loved ones, had enough information to protect themselves but they were concerned about the lack of enforcement and adherence by others
Changes to social routines. The restrictions on seeing friends and family were a significant cause of anxiety for people, particularly where they had concerns for the wellbeing of that person. I have taken a number of calls from people who have not been able to visit loved ones in Residential Care Homes, and they have expressed great anxiety about the wellbeing of that person. Many of us can only get assurance by being in the company of others, small screens are at best a partial substitute. For people living in Residential Care, not being able to have any visitors causes anxiety levels that are at least as great.
Potential changes to the economy and our economic futures. At least half the people I listen to areconcerned about a loss of employment/income in the future, this is particularly acute for those who are self employed. Calls are coming from a wide range of people. Local studies have shown that younger people, women, and people being obliged to commute to work are the groups most likely to experience high levels of stress. The measures being taken to support our economy may need to reflect this reality, and perhaps support could be usefully targeted at these groups.
Uncertainty is corrosive. Many people have expressed a need to have some sense of an endpoint, to know how long this will last. In the meantime, given the unpredictability of the virus, there are measures that can be taken to manage anxiety levels. People have said that they take confidence and comfort from limiting numbersin indoor and outdoor settings, from plentiful sanitizer stations and the presence of protective screens. Account needs to be taken of the difficulties that people with some forms of physical disability experience in practising proper distancing in narrow spaces such as pavements and corridors, and a more general reduced sense of social connection that is caused by the need for mask wearing
Reading or hearing about the severity of Covid. People largely get their information national & local news, central government website and social media. There is a responsibility on everyone who posts to any of these media channels to consider the impact of what they are saying on people who may be lonely, isolated, and in a highly anxious state. People already report feeling most comfortable in outdoor settings, least comfortable in public transport, indoor leisure and hospitalemergency departments. The impact of shock based reporting about the pandemic on the wellbeing of those people could be enormous, they could become more isolated and less likely to seek the help and support they need. A balance between reporting on the realities of the virus and its variants, and the avoidance of unnecessary embellishments is needed
Changes in caring responsibilities. Many people are reporting changes in the way they support relatives and friends who are self-isolating, and describing the huge impact on their lives. Work life balance seems to be worse for many, and almost a half are saying that combining work and caring had become much more difficult. Some of the same anxieties about how long this would go on for were regularly expressed
Cancellation of anticipated (social) events. This did cause people considerable anxiety, particularly where weddings and holidays had to be rearranged, funeral arrangements had to be changed at short notice, and where much anticipated religious festivals had to be changed or cancelled. The removal of these social milestones also contributed to the sense of sameness and lack of reference points in people’s lives
Inability to travel. The removal of the flexibility that travel provides was a source of anxiety and frustration. It simply added to sense of sameness and monotony that people reported
People were then asked what changes they would find most helpful in improving the situation?
Confidence in healthcare facilities. People simply wanted to be sure that healthcare facilities such as GP Practices and Hospitals would be safe to use. If they are not confident they may avoid getting the treatments they need.
Confidence in public spaces, transport, and town centres. People wanted to be sure that these places were covid secure and could be safely used, so that they could begin to interact with other people. The importance of Transport and Town Centres in this should not be underestimated, this is the right time to invest in both
Safe and confident at work. So much anxiety could be lifted if people felt their workplaces were covid secure and their financial futures had some certainty
Support with Mental Health and wellbeing. This could come in part from the NHS and Local Government, but it could also come in part from Employers, from the voluntary sector, and above all from people in communities looking out for each other.
I have been working in health and social care for more than 35 years and I have never experienced a time like this. The pandemic will pass, as all pandemics do. The legacy that will be left behind may take longer to consign to history. We must plan and commission with the legacy in mind, planning for a return to business as usual will not be enough to deal with it. People are telling us very clearly what they feel needs to happen, I just hope we are listening.
Chris Bain 