Since the declaration of coronavirus outbreak as a global pandemic, many of us, even those who have not been infected by the virus, choose to quarantine in our homes for safety.
Cancelled travel plans, indefinite isolation, panic over scarce resources and information overload could be a recipe for unchecked anxiety and feelings of isolation.
In order to survive the spiraling negative thoughts about these uncertainties, Freelanews Leadership Session, a weekly webinar took a look at Dealing With Mental Health In A Lockdown.
According to the facilitator, a mental health advocate and lead strategist at Aster Marketing, Tolulope Medebem, mental health ‘includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life; from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.’
Medebem, who revealed that her initial reaction was panic when it was obvious Nigerian was going on lockdown, stated that she eventually developed her formula to surviving the pandemic; she found a purpose.
“Monday, March 23, 2020, (a couple of day before the initial lockdown), we had to go home, so we started ‘early’.
“Safe to say, confinement affects us in different ways basically depending on our peculiar circumstance, experience and needs. Initially, it was a sense of disorientation (being lost) but through the family and a friend (who then ‘deserted’ me for other ‘interests’ 😑), I found purpose.”
She agreed that it wasn’t easy at the beginning as ‘…anxiety, worrying and wondering if my business would ‘pick up’ post COVID-19 (‘we’ worked on that, thanks to sooooo 😒 many webinars, meetings etc but most especially thanks to the Almighty because truth, worrying won’t make a difference)’.
In order to live with herself, she came to the following conclusions:
a) Accept the fact about this is really happening (and it affects us all)
b) I honestly stopped listening to the news (especially as it was most negative)
c) I intensified my physical exercise by signing up with @uzothegymaddict (Monday, Wednesday and Friday on Zoom), in addition to my daily walks
d) Daily, per second, I found things to be grateful for while appreciating humanity and thinking / praying for those who have lost loved to this or however death presented.
More than anything, the marketing guru agreed that the experience taught her to value her family and to always remember, in whatever situation she finds herself, that she needs to do her best to keep her thoughts positive.
“It has also been an opportunity to catch up, discover new interests (not sure I have though, lemme think🤔). I think I’ve ‘spoken’ to my mum more now than ever (why chat or text, when you can call, right😉).
“Somehow, I’m looking forward to whatever my new normal will be because, this has been an experience ✌️,” she wrote.
Medebem noted that there is mental illness in the country but many Nigerians avoid talking about it.
“During the lockdown, I had cause to deal with and discuss mental health with a while lot of people and it honestly got me thinking. One of the things I realised immediately was that a lot of people avoid discussions on this!” she asked.
The answer wasn’t far fetched because she almost immediately said,”Over the years, having any form of ‘mental illhealth’ would have you stigmatized but honestly, the sheer magnitude of dealing with the pandemic brings a lot to fore.”
A participant, Olutunbosun Osifowora, also claimed, “There were a number of report of domestic violence and irregular behaviour during the lockdown particularly amongst couples. Can we attribute that to mental issues that arose from lockdown? Particularly for those who were not given to such behaviour prior to the lockdown.”
Medebem agreed that there was an increase in these reactions because ‘going out and talking to people daily are outlets’.
“A lot of things we all took for granted came to play and then people found themselves having to ‘cope’.”
As means of dealing or coping, she suggested that self love is very important on a personal level as mental health affects one’s entire being.
“Self-care requires you to check in with yourself on a daily basis and really listen to what your needs and feelings are❤️. It is extremely important for maintaining your physical, spiritual, and mental wellbeing.
“People within our society actually find it difficult talking about their mental wellbeing because we have been conditioned to ignore it or otherwise be thought of as mad. A proverb says that it is interesting to watch the antics of a mad mam from far but he/she cannot be claimed as a kin.”
On ways to coping with mental ill-health and how to help as non-professionals in mental health, Medebem suggested positivity.
“I honestly took my life in a positive direction and avoided negativity as much as I could. The first step was I stopped all news, especially the ‘live scores’ 😊.
“Another thing was I took to physical activities and we advise this for everyone and finally, family. I drew even closer and made each day count. Family is something we mostly also recommend,” she said.
While accepting that the triggers vary based on the individual, she listed the negative triggers to watch out for in order to detect mental illness early.
“Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome. You are not sure what’s going to happen next or even how. Anxiety is very common, statistics show that, there are more than 1.5 million cases per year (Nigeria). Anxiety is usually self diagnosable and treatable by a medical professional.
“Also it could be detected when you begin to notice someone act different and withdrawn, ask questions.”
She added smile, call, wave and friendly look among others make a difference in someone’s day or life.
“One of the things we are also right now trying to champion is get the religious communities involved much more than before. We are a deeply religious society but theses bodies haven’t helped much and it would actually make a difference if they got involved more actively.”
In conclusion, the mental health advocate believed that in all, God comes first, in surviving mental illhealth in a lockdown.
“The Lord Almighty first and foremost always; whatever you believe in by way of faith is number one or else, no hope again.
“Talk to someone. Please, even of its just bantz; just talk and let it out.
“Also try as best as possible to do away with negativity. E go hard but you gasta try. It’s important.
“Remember always that someone loves you, someone will miss you and someone will hurt (if the eventuality happens),” she submitted.
The marketing guru, however, didn’t leave without dropping links to help heal during this period of uncertainties; How some young people dealt or are dealing and depression, and Suicide (where a doctor talks to us about identifying triggers and how to help). And to also listen to her podcast, BantzWithTee, talking about anxiety, click here.
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