The Tribune

By TANYA SMITH-CARTWRIGHT

tsmith-cartwright@tribunemedia.net

A local psychologist said financial stress from an economic downturn compounded with anxiety and isolation from the COVID-19 lockdown is a "dangerous cocktail" affecting many Bahamians.

Dr Wayne Thompson, proprietor of counselling centre Relationship Management, said increased stress, insomnia and depression are all side effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Experts have been sounding the alarm on the need to focus on mental health amid the pandemic, as more people are stuck in their homes for extended periods, cut off from friends and family, or dealing with job loss and food insecurity.

"Unfortunately for most Bahamians, we are not a disciplined set of people and, so we are going to suffer greatly," Dr Thompson said. "Financial stress is the worst kind of stress. So when you add that to whatever is already there, you have a very dangerous cocktail mixture. So this is going to be a problem for quite a long while. We always tend to believe that we know what to do, but the truth of the matter is, by and large, Bahamians do not have enough respect for mental health and that is a fundamental flaw."

A recent international data analysis found that 23 percent of respondents to a financial health survey reported experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to their personal finances. These respondents admitted to irrational or self-destructive behaviour motivated primarily by a desire to avoid the reality of their financial problems.

Here at home, Bahamas Feeding Network Executive Director Philip Smith projected last month that 100,000 people in the country are now facing hunger in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr Thompson said this projection is evidence the economic impact of the pandemic will cause more stress than the protracted lockdown and social distancing.

"We are now at 100,000 people needing help with food," Dr. Thompson continued. "So that is a clear indication that the economic impact probably would even be stronger (on mental health) than the lockdown itself because persons are losing their jobs, persons are being placed on one or two days' work and there is grave concern about how they are going to make ends meet."

The National Institute of Mental Health noted that poor financial health may lead to poor mental health and more importantly that taking active steps to ensure financial health is very likely to pay "positive dividends" on mental health as well.

"What makes this difficult is that there are actually two separate things, the financial side of it and the lockdown side of it," Dr Thompson said. "Normally we just have one but we have a double. So let's just talk about the lockdown. The lockdown of itself creates a lot of tension because human beings need a certain amount of space in order for them to feel okay about themselves."

Dr Thompson said that space can be shared for a short time, but if shared for prolonged periods, that can create agitation.

"It creates frustration and then you start seeing clashing taking place with individuals," Dr Thompson continued on relationships in lockdown. "Unfortunately in The Bahamas we have a lot of severed relationships. So those individuals who were not accustomed to spending a lot of time at home and who come home when the other spouse is asleep; all of that has now changed. So you have strangers now attempting to share space.

"This has created a tremendous amount of stress. Some persons' anxiety levels even get higher because they are cut off from people they socialise with on a regular basis and if that anxiety isn't managed that will then lead to insomnia. They are not resting and sleeping well which will eventually lead to depressive symptoms."

For University of The Bahamas (UB), nourishing mental and emotional health, particularly during times of crisis, is critically important. Many people grow more distressed because of the uncertainty brought on by crises, UB noted in a press release. Coping skills and strategies are, therefore, essential, according to the Director of Academic Counselling and Advisement at UB Camille Smith.

"It is normal for people to experience stress and emotional distress during periods of great challenge in their personal life," Mrs Smith noted in the release. "However, when that challenge also occurs in the wider local community, and then extends to a global pandemic, it is considered a compounded situation in which it becomes more likely that many will experience stress, emotional distress and even experience possible negative impact on their mental health."

She added: "The possibility of impending doom can have an impact on mental health because of the fear factor involved. Anxiety can increase, depression and despair may be triggered because of the possibility of catching the illness, and because of the news that so many people around the world have fallen ill, died, or are dealing with the impact of the illness in one way or the other."

To cope with the new wave of stress, Mrs Smith encouraged people to engage in productive activities that give them purpose and connect with people with whom they share a supportive relationship. Other activities like exercising, meditation and mindfulness are highly recommended.

"Practice self-care in ways that are still available to you," Mrs Smith said. "Exercise in front of the TV/cable programme. Listen to your favourite music. Be indulgent in small ways. Eat your favourite food. Paint your nails yourself, or each other's nails if you live with someone. Offer to give each other massages. Make food preparation special by adding an extra ingredient that you or a family member likes. Have a 'hose' party in which you spray each other or your children with water from a hose outside."

For people working or doing classwork at home, a schedule and balance should be maintained.

"If you are working online or doing schoolwork online, set a schedule to pace yourself, with small step goals, so that you can feel a sense of accomplishment at each small step. This can help you to feel as if you can tackle the big tasks and increase your sense of coping skills," Mrs Smith said.