Living through a pandemic is something many of us thought would never happen in our lifetime. The current situation of the COVID-19 outbreak has caused a global health crisis.

With this crisis, we have seen a notable impact on our mental health. We might notice a general increased sense of hopelessness. We may find ourselves thinking, “this is never going to end”, or “things will never be the same”. There is a decrease in job security , a decrease in financial security. And with that, comes extreme stress , uncertainty and fear. There is a fear for the health of loved ones, and for our own personal health. Symptoms of health anxiety are becoming more and more prevalent, which is especially problematic for those people who experienced health anxiety prior to this pandemic starting. It has become much more difficult to challenge thoughts and fears of contamination, as we are taught there could be some truth to those fears in this time.

A part of what makes this time so difficult mentally is that we have fewer activities available to us that promote our mental health. People are being instructed to withdraw from their social connections. We can no longer see our friends, go to the gym or to our favourite yoga class. We are not able to engage in many of the activities that have kept us healthy and that we purposefully engage in to boost our mood. We know that what we do has an impact on how we feel.

There is a sense of grief, a sense of loss for our cancelled plans, cancelled vacations, cancelled graduation, or prom. During this time of being restricted and limited to what we can do, where we can go, it can be a time that brings up past memories of other states of deprivation we have experienced; which can add to the distress we are feeling.

We know that the current global health crisis has impacted our mental health and has created an atmosphere of uncertainty. How are we to manage these feelings of uncertainty?

Tips for coping

Routine- Having a routine gives us control and predictability. Our routine does not have to be complex, it can be showering, getting dressed, getting outside for a walk, moving your body.
Practice Self Compassion- We need to show ourselves kindness in this time. At times, we might judge ourselves for getting frustrated, becoming angry or feeling overwhelmed. When we practice self compassion and offer ourselves kindness, understanding and validation that our emotions are understandable given the circumstances.
Gratitude- Considering practicing gratitude during this dark time might feel like an unrealistic suggestion. Maybe being in this situation has taught us something about ourselves, or taught us about something that is important to us. Maybe it has taught us that we are more resilient than we thought.
Connect With Others Virtually- Connection is how we experience belonging. Belonging is something that plays a huge role in our mental well being. Make sure you are reaching out and connecting with at least one person per day.
Limit News/Social Media- There is a delicate balance we need to strike between being informed and being overwhelmed with negative news. If you are finding the news overwhelming or anxiety provoking it may be a good idea to limit your media consumption.
Have a self-regulating activity in your back pocket for when you feel overwhelmed- This could be reading, working out, drawing, cooking, cleaning. Anything that you know has the power to bring you back to your calm centre.

If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, reach out to one of the crisis resources that are available 24/7.

Durham Mental Health Services: 1-800-742-1890

Ontario Shores Crisis Line: 1-800-263-2679

Free, online peer support and resources are available through: