Learning From Those Who Have Been There

When it became apparent that the COVID-19 crisis was going to have a significant negative effect on people’s mental health, I thought that possibly those of us with a history of severe mental illness might fare better than the average person. After all, we have a lot of experience with limited social contact, lost jobs and stressors that cause anxiety, depression and mania. Perhaps we have better coping skills than most.

The psychological impact of past quarantines and shutdowns is revealing, and as information comes in on expected increases in deaths of despair due to our response to the coronavirus, the ability of people with mental illness to positively ride out the virus is mixed. 

People without a history of mental illness are faring badly. 30% - 50% are now said to meet the diagnostic guidelines for generalized anxiety disorder, and rates of depression are skyrocketing.

Those with mental illness have faced limited services and the terror of the fact that this is going to last much longer than we thought. Anecdotal evidence reveals that some of us are doing well and others are not, just like always. One study, however, looked at a community that has historically faced much trauma, and they seem to be bringing their resilience to bear on this crisis very well.

The people of Haiti are used to shutdowns, natural disasters and extreme poverty. Yet they persevere through it all. Tellingly, their rates of virus transmission and mental health emergencies have remained very low through the worldwide encounter with COVID-19. They are evidence that people who have battled difficulties while still retaining a vibrant culture can thrive in the face of nearly any adversity. Let’s learn from them.

As with so many things, the answer to resilience is community. Support fosters success. It would seem the larger community could greatly benefit from the lessons those of us with mental illness have learned. The shutdown has been terribly lonely for many of us. But as things reopen, if we reach out to others with stories and lessons on how to cope, we can help improve life for those we love and care for. And ourselves.

To teach, to share, can make life worthwhile. Others can benefit from our experience and we can lean on each other to thrive in the face of this, and any, challenges. We with mental illness have a unique skillset to deal with this crisis. Let’s use it.

This post appeared in my newsletter on September 16th. For the latest from Practicing Mental Illness and "Getting Older With Bipolar," and irreverent and insightful information on meditation, subscribe to the newsletter here.