To what extent did the Covid 19 pandemic fundamentally alter the
individual human experience, and are these changes permanent?
The covid -19 contributed in the global turning point, it rapidly
escalated into a global pandemic. For many individuals, covid – 19 was
not just a public health event – it was an event that changed the way we
live our life and how we interact with others. News were dominated by
infection rates, mortality figures, and the race for vaccines.
This project will offer a multidimensional analysis of how this
pandemic has left a forever lasting scar on individual lives. In order to be
able to understand the impact, I have focused on the core factors which
have clearly been affected. While the immediate health consequences were
major, this pandemic crisis lives in its profound and lasting transformation
of the human condition. This project will be beyond statistical data to
explore the qualitative affect, by examining how the pandemic as a catalyst
for change across multiple sectors of life. By delving deeper in
employment patterns, educational experiences, family dynamics, and
psychological wellbeing, this study aims to understand how lives were
reshaped due to the tragic pandemic. Ultimately, this research seeks to
evaluate if the changes which occurred were temporary changes or
permanent scars that continue to influence society after a long period of
time of the crisis.
Mental health & emotional wellbeing
The World Health Organisation (WHO) reported that throughout the first
year of the covid-19 pandemic, the rates of anxiety and depression rapidly
increased by 25%. The core reason for the rapid rise in the extreme stress
that was caused by the social isolation. However, covid-19 also affected
individuals ability to work, connect with family and friends, and interact in
society. Covid – 19 brought upon many stress factors such as; ‘loneliness,
fear of infection, suffering and death for oneself and for loved ones, grief
after bereavement and financial worries’, which lead to anxiety and
depression. This impactful rise suggests that the public health measures
and social isolation which is linked with the pandemic has a deep and
widespread impact on global mental health.
, As a global aggregate, it may mask significant regional variations; for
instance, studies conducted in specific contexts might show different
trends. This is a key limitation to take into consideration, as the
psychological ‘scar’ in wealthier countries with social a safety net may
challenge differently than those in developing nations, when financial
survival may be tight. Moreover, this report was published throughout the
pandemic, which was able to snapshot in real time rather than just the
long-term outcome. [1] The CDC study, which tracked the exact trends
from the US, showed that the gravity of anxiety increased by 13% and the
seriousness of depression increased by 14%, between August and
December in 2020. Comparing the two reports the CDC study, provides a
longitudinal data. Breaking down every state, with dates included. [2] The
CDC study provides a detailed data analysis, this demonstrates a clear
connection between the local government mandates and increased
psychological distress. However, the CDC study only focuses on the US’
population, so the study cannot be used to analyse global affects.
Covid – 19 did not just impact individuals mental health and emotions, but
going further than this. The laws that got put into place like staying at
home and keeping away from others messed up our everyday activities,
and did not allow us to see friends and family. This created uncertainty
about the future. According to The World Health Organisation (2020), this
led to more stress and worry for many individuals. Not only this but also
created feelings of loneliness, sadness, and habits that are not healthy such
as drinking too much. This indicates a displacement of coping
mechanisms. Meaning that with social support decreasing, individuals can
turn to misusing substances. Leading to trigger a new publish health crisis
focussing on addiction.
There were certain groups of individuals which were more affected
compared to the others. For instance, elderly people as they felt very alone,
doctors and nurses due to the distress the pandemic had brought upon
them, and the individuals who were already suffering from a mental health
condition found it harder to navigate their everyday life, as they were not
able to receive the help they needed. Even, after so many years postop the
pandemic many individuals still feel like they are affected. This shows that
individuals still need to receive the help and support for mental health. [3]
Critically, it serves that the pandemic acted as a stress test. This reveals the
individual human experience, and are these changes permanent?
The covid -19 contributed in the global turning point, it rapidly
escalated into a global pandemic. For many individuals, covid – 19 was
not just a public health event – it was an event that changed the way we
live our life and how we interact with others. News were dominated by
infection rates, mortality figures, and the race for vaccines.
This project will offer a multidimensional analysis of how this
pandemic has left a forever lasting scar on individual lives. In order to be
able to understand the impact, I have focused on the core factors which
have clearly been affected. While the immediate health consequences were
major, this pandemic crisis lives in its profound and lasting transformation
of the human condition. This project will be beyond statistical data to
explore the qualitative affect, by examining how the pandemic as a catalyst
for change across multiple sectors of life. By delving deeper in
employment patterns, educational experiences, family dynamics, and
psychological wellbeing, this study aims to understand how lives were
reshaped due to the tragic pandemic. Ultimately, this research seeks to
evaluate if the changes which occurred were temporary changes or
permanent scars that continue to influence society after a long period of
time of the crisis.
Mental health & emotional wellbeing
The World Health Organisation (WHO) reported that throughout the first
year of the covid-19 pandemic, the rates of anxiety and depression rapidly
increased by 25%. The core reason for the rapid rise in the extreme stress
that was caused by the social isolation. However, covid-19 also affected
individuals ability to work, connect with family and friends, and interact in
society. Covid – 19 brought upon many stress factors such as; ‘loneliness,
fear of infection, suffering and death for oneself and for loved ones, grief
after bereavement and financial worries’, which lead to anxiety and
depression. This impactful rise suggests that the public health measures
and social isolation which is linked with the pandemic has a deep and
widespread impact on global mental health.
, As a global aggregate, it may mask significant regional variations; for
instance, studies conducted in specific contexts might show different
trends. This is a key limitation to take into consideration, as the
psychological ‘scar’ in wealthier countries with social a safety net may
challenge differently than those in developing nations, when financial
survival may be tight. Moreover, this report was published throughout the
pandemic, which was able to snapshot in real time rather than just the
long-term outcome. [1] The CDC study, which tracked the exact trends
from the US, showed that the gravity of anxiety increased by 13% and the
seriousness of depression increased by 14%, between August and
December in 2020. Comparing the two reports the CDC study, provides a
longitudinal data. Breaking down every state, with dates included. [2] The
CDC study provides a detailed data analysis, this demonstrates a clear
connection between the local government mandates and increased
psychological distress. However, the CDC study only focuses on the US’
population, so the study cannot be used to analyse global affects.
Covid – 19 did not just impact individuals mental health and emotions, but
going further than this. The laws that got put into place like staying at
home and keeping away from others messed up our everyday activities,
and did not allow us to see friends and family. This created uncertainty
about the future. According to The World Health Organisation (2020), this
led to more stress and worry for many individuals. Not only this but also
created feelings of loneliness, sadness, and habits that are not healthy such
as drinking too much. This indicates a displacement of coping
mechanisms. Meaning that with social support decreasing, individuals can
turn to misusing substances. Leading to trigger a new publish health crisis
focussing on addiction.
There were certain groups of individuals which were more affected
compared to the others. For instance, elderly people as they felt very alone,
doctors and nurses due to the distress the pandemic had brought upon
them, and the individuals who were already suffering from a mental health
condition found it harder to navigate their everyday life, as they were not
able to receive the help they needed. Even, after so many years postop the
pandemic many individuals still feel like they are affected. This shows that
individuals still need to receive the help and support for mental health. [3]
Critically, it serves that the pandemic acted as a stress test. This reveals the
