Mental Health Crisis during COVID-19: A Voice of Medical Practitioners to Be Heard
“Together we can fight and defeat COVID-19”, a famous phrase made by citizens and leaders during this period of COVID-19 that is rarely conceptualized. For the past few months, the world has been battling against a pandemic, the coronavirus. This deadly virus, also known as COVID-19, has emerged from Wuhan in China, and spread around the whole world. Transmitted through respiratory droplets, COVID-19 keeps affecting the global population with 19,196,733 confirmed cases as of August 2, 2020 (Tarlton, 2020). The virus has socially, politically, and economically affected the globe. However much, the governments, non-government institutions and the civil society jointly rose to find solutions, less concern has been shown to the mental well-being of health care providers. This article addresses mental health issues faced by health care providers, the lesson for the world to learn from the experience, and what needs to be done to reduce the likelihood of suicide among health care providers. It draws examples from a global perspective.
Medical practitioners were reported to have been among the high-risk groups in susceptibility to mental distress during COVID-19 (Tarlton, 2020). This makes sense because health care providers are in high demand to care for those who have contracted the virus as the world struggles to find a cure. However, since the goal of medical practitioners is to prolong life and relieve the pain of their patients, seeing patients die in front of them is one of the hardest things. Even though people die in hospitals under normal circumstances when treatment fails, it becomes a problem when some are dying, and one is unable to help those who are still alive. A good example would be Dr. Lorna Breen, a 49-year old American doctor who committed suicide on April 26, 2020. She got infected, recovered and went back to work as a doctor (CNN, 2020). Though she had no medical history of mental health issues, frustrations from COVID-19persuided her to take her life. It was all because she felt helpless despite her efforts not to mention that new cases and deaths kept increasing on a daily basis. Her story is similar to that of other doctors like Dr. Yelena Nepomnyashchaya from Russia and EMT John Mondello, a 23-year old American who later also committed suicide due to the horrors of the virus (Elwafaii, 2020).
Dr. Lorna Breen, one of the doctors who committed suicide(source: CGTN)
No matter how many stories about mental health have been reported, the world seems not to have learnt from it. Issues are solved not only because they are reported but also owing to the fact that there are enthralling discussions around them. During the lockdown, across the world there have been campaigns against unemployment, domestic violence, poverty as well as other different areas which have been affected; however, less campaigns targeted mental health of medical professionals as an issue on its own. Of course, mental health awareness campaigns to the general public are there, but we should be considerate that the mental health of people locked in their house is completely different from that of those frustrated by their inability to answer questions like “who will survive next? Can we prevent death?” Yes, people lose their beloved ones, but health professionals witness different people die in their hands. If there is a need to tackle this vulnerability, definitely; there is an urgent need to reduce generalization and tackle each issue on its own.
Now that the scope of the issue came to people’s awareness, what needs to be done? Government institutions should understand that the mental health care of health care providers matters just as much as that of other citizens. Institutions in charge including ministries of health should create campaigns specific for the mental health of health care providers to keep track of how they are doing during these hard times. The problem with mental health problems is that they are not physically detectable, which makes it difficult to detect until someone gets depressed or takes their life. It might not seem like a big issue, but when thinking about solutions, sustainability should be our priority. We do not need to wait until a lot of medical practitioners commit suicide to see that they are being affected mentally. Mental health is not only about suicide. It is also about thoughts, social wellbeing, and the ability to cope with stress. Mental health services need to be accessible to not only the general population but also medical practitioners themselves. They also need someone to talk too. How will a mentally affected medical practitioner keep up with work after pandemics? There is a need to maintain their mental wellbeing in order to upgrade their performance index for the good of the community at large.
In addition to governments and institutions, medical schools need to learn from these situations as well. Medical students should not only be trained to tolerate the intensity of the patients’ conditions but also be mentally prepared even when it gets harder. They should also be reminded to take care of themselves and reach out for help. One of the reasons why heath care providers commit suicide during COVID-19 is mental unpreparedness (Dean, 2020). Nobody knew how bad things would get. However much, more can be done to build mental strength of health care providers to avoid future catastrophes.
Conclusively, if we are really in this together, we should also solve issues together without leaving anyone behind. The mental health of medical practitioners matters, as much as that of the general public. Now that more reports about the existence of mental health issues in medical practitioners have surfaced, more campaigns should be implemented. The world needs to learn from different experienced medical practitioners who have been mentally affected during pandemics. The medical practitioners who committed suicide were the backbones of global health, and not taking action risks more heroes.
Source:
CNN, T. R. (2020, April 28). An ER doctor who continued to treat patients after she recovered from Covid-19 has died by suicide. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/28/us/er-doctor-coronavirus-help-death-by-suicide-trnd/index.html
Dean, W. (2020, April 30). Health care worker suicides hint at Covid-19 mental health crisis to come. STAT. https://www.statnews.com/2020/04/30/suicides-two-health-care-workers-hint-at-covid-19-mental-health-crisis-to-come/
Elwafaii, O. (2020, April 29). Why are COVID-19 doctors committing suicide? https://newsus.cgtn.com/news/2020-04-29/Why-are-COVID-19-doctors-committing-suicide--Q4yi8yhYB2/index.html
Tarlton, D. (2020, May 22). Addressing mental health during COVID-19. UNDP. https://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/blog/2020/addressing-mental-health-during-covid-19.html
Writer : Nzisabira Joselyne from UGHE
263 Comments
Felicite Munezero
07 September 2020 23:37IZERE Aimé
07 September 2020 23:52King Hamza
08 September 2020 00:01Bashir .k. Bulwanyi
08 September 2020 00:08Fedu
08 September 2020 00:09Eng Claude
08 September 2020 00:24Butrand
08 September 2020 00:28Claude Dushimimana
08 September 2020 00:32Willine
08 September 2020 00:53Friend
08 September 2020 00:53Genereuse
08 September 2020 03:51Mutesi Mukinisha
08 September 2020 04:18Gloria
08 September 2020 10:50Clemence
08 September 2020 10:56Presnel
08 September 2020 10:57A friend
08 September 2020 10:59Juan
08 September 2020 10:59Beula
08 September 2020 11:04Ernest H.
08 September 2020 11:14Immaculee
08 September 2020 11:15Providence
08 September 2020 11:16Mutako
08 September 2020 11:21Delphine
08 September 2020 11:22Gislaine
08 September 2020 11:25Eden G.
08 September 2020 11:43Justine
08 September 2020 11:47Araphat Dusenge
08 September 2020 11:50Rutambuka
08 September 2020 12:00Ishema
08 September 2020 12:12Davis Shyaka
08 September 2020 12:17Derrick
08 September 2020 12:36Regis RUTABAGISHA
08 September 2020 12:38Materne
08 September 2020 12:39Peace
08 September 2020 13:12Louange
08 September 2020 13:51Irihose Kenny Nadege
08 September 2020 14:18White
08 September 2020 15:42Andre Ndayambaje
08 September 2020 15:47Alima
08 September 2020 16:22Betty
08 September 2020 16:25Sam
08 September 2020 16:31Martin
08 September 2020 16:40provy
08 September 2020 16:50Angelique Nana
08 September 2020 16:53Emile
08 September 2020 19:13Roger
08 September 2020 19:29Olivier
08 September 2020 22:29Mutambuka Mike
08 September 2020 22:37Olivier Nshuti Mbarushimana
09 September 2020 00:50Qn Dahlia
09 September 2020 01:38Pascaline
09 September 2020 10:45Random Learner
09 September 2020 14:43MUGISHA Aimable
09 September 2020 14:59Choupette
09 September 2020 15:04Uwineza
09 September 2020 15:19Colombe
09 September 2020 15:39ELYSE
09 September 2020 16:15Aime Niyomutabazi
09 September 2020 16:19Aime Bron
09 September 2020 17:11Naphtal
09 September 2020 17:28Joseph
09 September 2020 17:54Flora
09 September 2020 19:09Benitha Bernadette
10 September 2020 00:11Aimable
10 September 2020 00:24Harerimana
10 September 2020 01:22aimable
10 September 2020 09:17Rosine
10 September 2020 13:31Eric
10 September 2020 16:05Patrick Nzabonimpa Tom
10 September 2020 17:36Umubyeyi
10 September 2020 19:58Emile_Vybz
10 September 2020 22:03Denis
10 September 2020 23:55IGIRANEZA MUHINDO Alain
11 September 2020 00:03Rene
11 September 2020 02:04Alain
11 September 2020 19:11Nshuti Alexis
11 September 2020 23:26Dedier
11 September 2020 23:27Ezra
11 September 2020 23:31Niyirora Peter
11 September 2020 23:36Eric Izabayo Nsanganira
11 September 2020 23:37Anonymous
11 September 2020 23:51Vex Prince
11 September 2020 23:58Kevin
12 September 2020 00:00Gentil ishimwe musengimana
12 September 2020 00:22Ngenzi Napoleon
12 September 2020 00:23Flavien
12 September 2020 00:26Max
12 September 2020 00:41Mugisha maliki
12 September 2020 00:44GK
12 September 2020 00:54Juvenal
12 September 2020 00:55Angel agasaro
12 September 2020 01:26NISHIMWE
12 September 2020 01:27ishimwe Remy Christian
12 September 2020 08:29Marina
12 September 2020 10:24Sano Gerard
12 September 2020 11:11fiston
12 September 2020 13:23Asterix
12 September 2020 14:13Blandine Ineza
12 September 2020 14:44Claudette
12 September 2020 15:59Pax Agrippine
12 September 2020 16:31RANGIRA Christian
12 September 2020 17:45Yvette
12 September 2020 20:10Olivia
12 September 2020 22:44Chichi
12 September 2020 23:41Maikudi Danburam
12 September 2020 23:58Tom Rwanda
13 September 2020 01:36Byiringiro patrick
13 September 2020 01:48Bunani emmanuel
13 September 2020 07:30Hoziana
13 September 2020 11:23Elysée
14 September 2020 21:44Ibrahim
14 September 2020 22:12Brymez
14 September 2020 22:16Hidaya
15 September 2020 18:28Josué
15 September 2020 18:50Umurerwa Gentille
15 September 2020 20:40Gentille
15 September 2020 21:25Emelyne
15 September 2020 21:48Olivier Mugiraneza
16 September 2020 01:19Marara Ishimwe
16 September 2020 02:53Niyigena fab
16 September 2020 11:13Fabrice
16 September 2020 11:17Mutangana
16 September 2020 16:05El Rasmubam
17 September 2020 11:23Rosie
17 September 2020 11:25Sheikh Marie
17 September 2020 11:25S. Evergiste
17 September 2020 11:25Queen
17 September 2020 11:27Bertrand Aime
17 September 2020 11:28Uwera
17 September 2020 11:31Ishimwe
17 September 2020 11:36Marlene
17 September 2020 11:38Gatesi F.
17 September 2020 11:58a Rwandan
17 September 2020 12:00Cephalosporin
17 September 2020 12:03Mizero
17 September 2020 23:56Genius
18 September 2020 09:47Daniel
18 September 2020 09:49A doctor
18 September 2020 09:52Igiraneza
18 September 2020 10:41Jackie
18 September 2020 10:45A close friend
18 September 2020 10:49NKAKA Pascal
18 September 2020 10:51Chris
18 September 2020 10:59Adult
18 September 2020 11:01Mtoto
18 September 2020 11:08Kabera Willy
18 September 2020 13:22Patience
18 September 2020 15:49Cyusa Uwase
18 September 2020 15:55claire uwase
18 September 2020 20:27Dewa
18 September 2020 22:50Your friend
18 September 2020 22:55Princess
18 September 2020 23:12Praise
18 September 2020 23:16Junny
18 September 2020 23:27Happy
19 September 2020 18:49Juju
19 September 2020 18:51Ivermectin
19 September 2020 19:10Irabizi Noa
19 September 2020 20:31Emmanuel Nsanganwa
20 September 2020 02:36Thomas
20 September 2020 15:28Izabayo Yassipi
20 September 2020 15:29BIRABAMO
20 September 2020 15:41Ebenezer
20 September 2020 15:51Phionah
20 September 2020 15:51Hategekimana Francois
20 September 2020 16:09Adriel Niyodusaba
20 September 2020 16:17Ithiel
20 September 2020 16:31Abiringiyimana Enock
20 September 2020 16:41Jadot
20 September 2020 16:50Tresor
20 September 2020 17:00ndateba eddy
20 September 2020 18:13Keysha
20 September 2020 18:27Nic
20 September 2020 18:29Placide Bienaimé
20 September 2020 19:38Eric Nshimiyimana
20 September 2020 21:15ITWITAHO Aimee Badine
20 September 2020 21:30Queen Joelle Kamanzi Hirwe
21 September 2020 00:00Doek
21 September 2020 02:12Iraguha ceraphine
21 September 2020 04:26MUHIRE Chris
21 September 2020 06:25Robert
21 September 2020 07:18NISHIMWE Welcome Bienveillance
21 September 2020 07:57Ngabo bienvenue
21 September 2020 10:30Castron
21 September 2020 11:06Olabell
21 September 2020 13:18Dushimimana Patrick
21 September 2020 13:25Donna
21 September 2020 13:53William Niyonzima
21 September 2020 14:14Isaro
21 September 2020 14:15Umutesi
21 September 2020 15:41Leon Chretien
21 September 2020 16:32Amikoro
21 September 2020 17:50Uwase christella
21 September 2020 18:00Nene
21 September 2020 18:07Esdras
21 September 2020 18:23rwakana esdras
21 September 2020 18:34Nicky
21 September 2020 18:38Joyce Tuyishime
21 September 2020 18:53Ke kean
21 September 2020 21:35Boanerge
21 September 2020 22:27Philemon
21 September 2020 22:30Ntwali
21 September 2020 22:37Manzi
21 September 2020 22:42Plandie
22 September 2020 07:09Ishmael David
22 September 2020 08:25Adisa
22 September 2020 11:09Mazita Lornatel
22 September 2020 11:10Ursy Abanga
22 September 2020 11:12Toto
22 September 2020 11:12Eugenia
22 September 2020 11:14Idadisa
22 September 2020 11:14Musebah
22 September 2020 11:16Mukatoto
22 September 2020 11:17Jona
22 September 2020 11:18Tugiriyera
22 September 2020 11:19Mukonyora
22 September 2020 11:20Jona
22 September 2020 11:21Nelly
22 September 2020 11:21Bashbeni
22 September 2020 11:21Felicia
22 September 2020 11:22KAYUMBA
22 September 2020 11:23Ivan M
22 September 2020 11:23Poetisa
22 September 2020 11:24Marylee
22 September 2020 11:25Janallotey
22 September 2020 11:26Jen Adjivon
22 September 2020 11:27Kendall
22 September 2020 11:27Aisha Moha
22 September 2020 11:28Lerato. C
22 September 2020 11:33Luccy
22 September 2020 11:38Henrietta
22 September 2020 11:42Charanee
22 September 2020 11:45Frank
22 September 2020 12:11arikiki
22 September 2020 12:14Haz Vinay
22 September 2020 12:32Ngwenya Silindile
22 September 2020 12:34Matt
22 September 2020 12:40Matani.
22 September 2020 12:42Regis
22 September 2020 12:44Muhayimana Janvier
22 September 2020 12:44Glennise Mucyo
22 September 2020 13:41Mboniyera Thomas
22 September 2020 14:08Kanyana Liberee
22 September 2020 14:11Stella Dusabe
22 September 2020 14:12Paloma
22 September 2020 14:42Catherine
22 September 2020 15:41Somoye.W
22 September 2020 15:43Cathy
22 September 2020 15:45Confiance
22 September 2020 16:07Hussain
22 September 2020 16:09Anushkah
22 September 2020 18:25Ziada
22 September 2020 18:36Aisha
22 September 2020 18:43Estheer
22 September 2020 18:46Bunnia
22 September 2020 18:49Merveille
22 September 2020 20:01Kiramira
22 September 2020 21:22Liza
22 September 2020 21:34vivienne
22 September 2020 21:38Mariam
22 September 2020 21:39Olatunjimo
22 September 2020 21:40Peter
22 September 2020 21:42Vanessa P.
22 September 2020 21:43