I’ve been busy, probably more than I would like. I hoped to use this time to do more virtual therapy but I’ve been on the front lines instead, in an environment with COVID infected and recovered patients. Despite these stressors, I’m happy to be healthy and I am hopeful about the future post COVID.
Strangely, work has not changed as drastically as the rest of the world, as detainees and officers walk the hallways with masks in their pockets or under their chins. Yet here I am in full hazmat gear. Once I exit the jail gates and return to the real world, I am reminded of what our new normal is...a pandemic....this is still unreal to me.
Pre-COVID, we have never experienced a crisis of this magnitude. If my paternal grandfather was still alive he would be 119 years old, and I’m certain he would have many stories after enduring the 1918 Spanish flu. This pandemic hit Jamaica with the most devastation than any Caribbean island, I’m praying history is not repeating itself.
Locally, I have experienced the terrorist attack on 911, Hurricane Sandy, Hurricane Gilbert and an earthquake in Jamaica in 1990.
Despite not being local issues, I felt emotionally drawn to Hurricane Katrina, The Aurora Colorado shooting, and the Sandhook school shooting, which I watched in horror on the news each day. In the comfort of my false sense of security, I could not imagine things could worsen. But lo and behold.
I’ve seen a shift over the years with how crises are handled, mental health was never considered front line work, however, there is a realization that the response to trauma is urgent and standard basic needs are now listed as food, shelter, clothing, safety, as well as emotional stability, a restored sense of reality, and hope.
This is a unique crisis and unlike the ones I mentioned before, COVID is silent and faceless. We cannot see it and we are uncertain when it may strike, so there’s this stifling fear of impending doom.
Once the shelter in place order was established, I was indifferent. I was happy to be home and out of harm’s way, but I could not stop thinking about privilege, and privilege is not simply about money, but access and options.
Being at home for some has been one big staycation. For others, zoom meetings, home schooling, missing the last whole foods order slots are the greatest frustrations of the day. Unfortunately, for some this experience is accompanied by homelessness, food insecurity, lack of protective gear, violence, and abuse. Additionally, this is an emotionally vulnerable time, causing a wave of negative thoughts and feelings, overwhelming loneliness, regret, and sadness. For those who were coping with emotional distress, mood, thought disorder, anxiety, or psychosis this is the perfect storm to awaken these symptoms as well.
Dealing with these difficulties in isolation can amplify the pain. Keep in mind isolation is not always literally being alone, it can also be the emptiness felt in your mind and the disconnect from yourself.
More importantly, this moment in time challenges the sense of control that we have.
According to a theory I support, our human basic needs are:
Survival
Love & Belonging
Power
Freedom and Fun
Currently, each need is in a state of chaos.
I can't speak for the rest of the world but it seems that New York is standing by the side of the double dutch rope, waiting to get in.
We are having a difficult time with this current reality and I’ve witnessed many a rebellion against masks, social distancing, or the very idea that this is not a government/5G experiment.
While I’m trying not to impose my beliefs on anyone, as a health care worker, I must implore people to err on the side of caution and be responsible, if not for yourself, for the safety of others.
“ Temporary discomfort for long term gains.”
People are anxious that they will not survive, they are worried about relationships and feeling connected, the sense of power and control is challenged, and the freedom to do what you’d like which includes fun is not a choice.
Anxiety is natural and it’s ok to not be ok, do not succumb to the pressure of immediate resilience, sometimes it may take longer than others, but I encourage you not to lose hope that it will come to you. This is one of the most challenging moments and you may be doing the best you can right now. Everyone’s coping is custom fit. While there is no end date, this moment is not permanent and there are possibilities that it can change, so consider the possibility of the best case scenario.
Listen to your thoughts
Be kind to your thoughts
Be present and respect the range of feelings and emotions we naturally have as humans
Stop and Consider Choices
Challenge your thinking when you recognize your thoughts are hurtful and think of how you can repurpose your thoughts to be beneficial.
Also remain CALM:
C- Create space for creativity and connections
A-Acknowledge your feelings
L-Listen to your body and mind ( even when the thoughts are negative, challenge them)
M- Meditate
I am wishing you healing and hope during this time.
Be calm and Be well... mind...body...soul
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