Bee Talk
Beatrice Tonhodzayi
We certainly are now living through what we feared. What we feared is upon us and it is not looking good. All around us; people are dying while many others are falling sick. A colleague was lamenting the other day about the number of ‘Rest in Peace’ messages she had come across in recent days and how badly this was affecting her. She used the word ‘depressed’ to describe what she was feeling and I totally understood her.
You would be abnormal not to be affected by what is happening all around us now as a result of Covid-19. Just this week alone; we have seen a rise in the number of deaths around us. We are almost at 100 deaths. Men and women have died of Covid-19 and more will die. This nightmare is with us and we can no longer afford to bury our heads in the sand. Truly what we used to read about happening in Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States has now visited us in Zimbabwe. While the scale of deaths and infections in those countries was way higher; who knows how far this will go here? Just the reports coming in daily are alarming. The rate at which new infections are occurring is also alarming.
I shudder to think where we might be in coming weeks and months. Not being an epidemiologist; I cannot talk about the peak, which I hear is still to come.
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I have learnt to ‘never say never’ with this virus; that’s for sure. The tales that are being shared by people who have been affected in one way or the other have been enough to show me that it is real.
From those who have lost loved ones; t those who have not been able to attend funerals of close family members; to tales about those who have not been able to access medical care despite having reached a medical health facility- it’s harrowing. In fact; what has become even more worrisome now is the emotional and mental toll that this is taking on many of us. Yes; as we all worry about protecting ourselves and keeping Covid-19 away from us if we possibly can; there is damage that is occurring that we may not realize.
At personal level; I have battled anxiety a few times. From hyperventilating when it got really bad to tummy upsets and interrupted sleep; I went through it. It took me seeking help to understand what I was facing and finally having the guts to face it head on. It still hits me now and again; but it is largely under control. Many others are in the same boat. Some do not even understand what is going on. I have heard many people tell me of feeling like they have Covid-19 symptoms. Yes they begin to feel everything that they have been told are symptoms of Covid and yet in actual fact- it is all in the mind.
Others have been in a space where they could not breathe anymore as panic filled them. A friend tells me of having blacked out until her elderly helper did something with smelling salts and she came to. It took a therapist to get her to realize she had been in the grips of a panic attack. The struggle is very real. Some are struggling to sleep. Others are finding it difficult to concentrate on anything and cannot complete tasks. Some have since lost their sex drive while many more are struggling with appetite. Others are giving in to crying spells; where they just break into tears. Many experience severe mood swings while others suffer from tummy aches. Can anyone relate? Let me tell you what; you are not alone. Many are going through these experiences.
For some; bathing has become a real mission and they suddenly do not see the point in bathing daily. Others do not find any joy in living anymore. And yes this is normal. Sometimes with the horror of sickness and death that has become the central thing in our lives lately- it does not make sense to plan or even dream anymore. One finds themselves just drifting by. This thing is taking its toll on us in one-way or the other.
Our emotional wellbeing is at stake. Our mental well-being is at stake.
Mental health issues; which for long have been a no-go area for many of us (as it was described as kupenga) have suddenly become glaringly evident as a reality in the family and community. For a long time most of us believed being unwell was all about physical well-being but now we know that mental health is critical too. Sadly we are not ready or equipped to deal with the real mental health issues, Covid-19 has brought with it.
While employers are rolling out testing for their staff; very soon it will be clear that there may be need to go beyond that and look into mental health support as well. I know some South African organisations that are encouraging staff to take self care time out and to talk to counselors as Covid-19 takes its toll on many that side.
How are you dealing with this real issue in the home; in families, in communities; churches and even as couples? Our children after being holed up at home; are battling. Some after losing jobs and incomes; are struggling. Many others are just gripped by fear. Some are suffering from separation anxiety as spouses, parents and their children etc are kept apart due to restrictions on travel globally. And as all this happens; there are few places where one can go or call for help. People just do not know what to do or where to go. A religious leader once told me that people in the church do not understand such issues so I needed to deal with my anxiety. How do you think that made me feel? There is no shame in being worried, anxious, afraid, uncertain or depressed. These are anxious and stressful times. Let us speak out. If you have an experience or services in this area; please get in touch so people know where to get help. It is necessary.
- @btonhodzayi
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– HMETRO
