Mental Health in a Pandemic
By: Kaeleigh Hayakawa
Episode 13 of the Narrative Project Podcast explores the ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the mental health of UCI community members and the other communities that they are a part of. Guest perspectives varied from undergraduate students to professional mental health staff, who each shared their experiences and perspectives regarding the impact of the pandemic, what meaningful coping and self-care can look like, and where to seek out support when needed.
“I felt like I was on a roller coaster and it was never gonna end… I wanted to get off, but I just couldn’t.”
Daily life for many UCI community members changed drastically when the COVID-19 pandemic took hold in March of 2020, including that of the episode’s guests. Beyond the obvious of having to transition to attending work, class, and extracurricular or hobbies completely online, there are subtle ways in which the guests felt isolated from their support system. For example, having a class with friends felt less meaningful with no real opportunity to naturally connect with them before or after. With these natural opportunities to build connection missing and a consistently high level of stress around coursework and extracurriculars, the guests shared feeling anxious and lonely with little motivation or time to reach out to friends.
Guests highlighted that the pandemic has impacted all communities, with groups and individuals being forced to cope with the stress and grief brought on by lowered quality of life, loss of routine, and loss of loved ones. With this being said, it is important to remember that not all communities have been impacted equally by the pandemic and the environment that has been created in its wake. As noted by a guest, the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community has faced unique harassment and violence due to racialization of COVID-19 in the United States. AAPI and other Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities have faced layered, complex experiences with COVID-19, anti-Asian hate, and anti-Blackness that includes a disproportionate impact of the pandemic due to factors such as health and economic disparities. As an example, in the United States, Filipino nurses make up 30% of nurses who have died due to COVID-19 despite only accounting for 4% of registered nurses overall. Feelings of anxiety, fear, anger, and grief caused by COVID-19, discrimination, and inequities were expressed by all guests.
On top of this, guests felt that there was a layer of “inauthentic” positivity being promoted on social media that disregarded many of the very real, almost insurmountable challenges they and their community members were faced with. As one guest mentioned, the power of positivity to change a person’s perspectives and emotions can be real, but only when it’s authentic and validating. All of these factors have contributed to community members struggling to cope with the numerous challenges presented by the pandemic itself, the environment fostered during it, and unrest as the United States grapples with systems of oppression.
“We can work on positivity, but we have to be mindful so it doesn’t minimize or invalidate people’s real, genuine experiences and I think social media has a tendency to do that.”
The conversation turned from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic toward what guests had been doing to cope with it and face a return to routines that may feel anxiety-provoking and look much different compared to prior to the pandemic.
Guests noted that self-care became more internally-oriented, with a focus on personal thoughts, feelings, and overall well-being versus people- or support system-oriented care activities. With more time to yourself, some guests shared that self-care began to more intentionally incorporate hobbies and activities such as dancing, journaling, curating music playlists, and mindfulness exercises.
It was shared that despite this, connection with others in the ways that were safe still remained an important part of their well-being. Activities such as going for a walk, video calls, and virtual game nights helped foster a sense of connectedness with loved ones and combat the sense of isolation many felt. Guests also highlighted the importance of physical self-care and the impact adequate sleep, hydration, and regular meals can have on our overall well-being.
One guest noted that it is important for people to stop and consider whether the self-care they are engaging in is self-indulgent or self-healing. Self-indulgent activities such as bubble baths and binge watching media, while important to self-care and happiness, are not necessarily restorative or healing on their own. True self-care uplifts the spirit and restores the energy lost during day to day stress and interactions. The guest mentioned that people can try exploring hobbies, particularly creative or expressive activities, to try and find something that doesn’t feel like a chore and leaves the individual feeling refreshed and fulfilled.
“The ways in which I’ve coped through music have really helped, just because it helps me center and to think within myself and just make more time for myself.”
Of course, the current self-care or coping skills community members are equipped with may not feel like enough to help them handle the weight and impact of their current challenges. Each guest gave a reminder that asking for help is always okay and there are many resources available to any UCI community member who may need someone to talk to, want to develop a new skill, or otherwise desire support navigating the challenges they are facing.
The UCI Counseling Center is a wonderful resource for any registered UCI student. They provide a variety of free and confidential short-term mental health services such as individual counseling, therapy groups, crisis intervention, mentorship programs, and referral and resource support. For service availability remote or in-person, please contact their office by phone.
Free and confidential short-term support services are available to UCI employees through UCI Faculty/Staff Support Services or the Employee Assistance Program. UCI Faculty/Staff Support Services can provide crisis intervention, limited case management, and consultation and support to employees on a variety of issues. The Employee Assistance Program offers 24/7 support online and over the phone including problem identification, assessment, and referrals.
Another tip offered by the guests was for community members to be gentle with themselves as they transition toward in-person outings, work, classes, and more. It may feel overwhelming at times, which could cause some feelings of confusion since many individuals may also have missed these experiences. Remember that each individual needs to go at their own pace and navigate their own boundaries. One person’s pace and boundaries may look different from another’s, and that’s alright. Rather than comparing to others, be gentle and forgiving, allowing oneself to move at the pace that feels safe and comfortable.
The COVID-19 pandemic is not yet over, nor are the inequities and challenges it has brought to the forefront. As the UCI community continues to grapple with the various challenges and how to address them, each of us will need to equip ourselves with tools that enable us to strive for holistic well-being and strong systems of support. How do you envision equipping yourself? What has provided helpful in coping with the challenges you have experienced so far? What do you think you may need support with given challenges you anticipate facing in the coming months?
Check out these articles for more information on creating a self-care plan or coping with transitions out of COVID-19 restrictions:
