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COVID 19 is the worst pandemic in recent times, which loomed in China and gradually stretched to all parts of the world. Ambiguity about the nature of the disease has raised many concerns about its clinical, diagnostic, and management aspects of infection. [1] Pandemics are just medical experiences; they cause interference on individuals and society. Public health issues during pandemics may cause fear and anxiety, leading to prejudices against people and communities, social isolation, stigma, and xenophobia. These behaviours may culminate into chaos, hostility, and disruption of social life. [2]
People with infectious diseases have been stigmatized in the past but not to the extent that we observe towards COVID 19 patients and survivors. Often it is because of the heightened fear and misinformation about the COVID 19 infection that people face discrimination. More challenging is the entities like Infodemic, fear, and stigma, which are the most significant rivals in this current crisis than the COVID-19 itself. [3] There has been a concern about stigma and discrimination in previous pandemics, and COVID 19 is no exception, but the stigma and myths associated with COVID 19 have overpowered the contagious power of the coronavirus itself. We have been reading these from social and electronic media over the past few months. The stigma and myths have instilled practice of fear and avoidance in almost everyone because of the contagious nature and lack of a vaccine for COVID 19. The impact of social stigma is as far worse than the clinical manifestations despite it being curable in almost 97% of patients affected. Stigma can also happen after a person has recovered from COVID-19 or been released from home isolation or quarantine. [4] To minimize the spread of deadly fast-growing infectious disease, we also need to address this stigmatization in COVID-19 patients.
Multiple reasons have been attributed for causing stigma in the COVID 19 pandemic, like improper information about the spread of disease along with increased fear and anxiety have been endorsed to create stigma in pandemics. This is further aggravated by measures like isolation and physical distancing, which are essential for preventing the spread of disease. [1] On occasion, the danger of losing can extrapolate to social and moral circumstances, which can further cause stigma. However, the actual origin of stigma is very complex and may extend beyond concepts such as a social disability or moral transgressions. Rumours and misconception regarding the pandemics contribute to mental health issues consequences. Stigma, along with isolation measures, can act as a catalyst for many psychological issues, especially in people who are at risk. [5] The adverse mental health impacts do not simply stop after the quarantine period but continue due to stigma. There has been a fear and stigma against COVID-19 pandemics and may lead to a negative impact on health control measures. Secondly, patients with mental health issues are often discriminated against and stigmatized, and these patients may not have timely access to health care. Health care providers must be, therefore, aware of risk factors and the potential psychological consequences of stigmatization and prolonged quarantine. [5,6]
There is an urgent need to counter such prejudices and to rise as a community that is empowered with health literacy and responds appropriately in the face of this adversity. Stopping stigma is important in making all community members safer and healthier. Everyone can help prevent this discrimination by knowing the facts right and sharing them with other community members. It is recommended that the privacy and confidentiality of those seeking health care must be preserved. Speaking out against negative statements on social media, making sure that news channels and other media groups are roped into speaking out against stereotyping groups facing stigma is needed. At the same time, creating virtual resources for mental health and other social support services for people who have experienced stigma and discrimination is essential.
References
1. Badrfam R, Zandifar A. Stigma Over COVID-19; New Conception Beyond Individual Sense. Arch Med Res. 2020 May 20:S0188-4409(20)30754-2.
2. Person B., Sy F., Holton K. Fear and stigma: the epidemic within the SARS outbreak. Emerg Infect Dis. 2004;10:358
3. World Health Organization, speeches 2020. https://www.who.int/dg/speeches/detail/who-director-general-s-opening-re....
4. Santos CF. Reflections about the impact of the SARS-COV-2/COVID-19 pandemic on mental health. Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry. 2020 Jun;42(3):329-.
5 . Cheung EY. An outbreak of fear rumours and stigma: Psychosocial support for the Ebola virus disease outbreak in West Africa. Intervention 2015;13:45-84.
6. Bruns, Debra Pettit, et al. “COVID-19: Facts, Cultural Considerations, and Risk of Stigmatization.” Journal of Transcultural Nursing, vol. 31, no. 4, July 2020, pp. 326–332, doi:10.1177/1043659620917724.
Competing interests:
No competing interests
30 June 2020
Sheikh Shoib
Psychiatrist
Sheikh Mohd Saleem 1, Sheikh Mohammed Shariful Islam 2. 1. Demonstrator, Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India, 2. Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia
Department of Psychiatry, Jawahar Lal Nehru Memorial Hospital, Srinagar, kashmir , india 190003
Re: COVID 19 stigma and mental health
Dear Editor,
COVID 19 is the worst pandemic in recent times, which loomed in China and gradually stretched to all parts of the world. Ambiguity about the nature of the disease has raised many concerns about its clinical, diagnostic, and management aspects of infection. [1] Pandemics are just medical experiences; they cause interference on individuals and society. Public health issues during pandemics may cause fear and anxiety, leading to prejudices against people and communities, social isolation, stigma, and xenophobia. These behaviours may culminate into chaos, hostility, and disruption of social life. [2]
People with infectious diseases have been stigmatized in the past but not to the extent that we observe towards COVID 19 patients and survivors. Often it is because of the heightened fear and misinformation about the COVID 19 infection that people face discrimination. More challenging is the entities like Infodemic, fear, and stigma, which are the most significant rivals in this current crisis than the COVID-19 itself. [3] There has been a concern about stigma and discrimination in previous pandemics, and COVID 19 is no exception, but the stigma and myths associated with COVID 19 have overpowered the contagious power of the coronavirus itself. We have been reading these from social and electronic media over the past few months. The stigma and myths have instilled practice of fear and avoidance in almost everyone because of the contagious nature and lack of a vaccine for COVID 19. The impact of social stigma is as far worse than the clinical manifestations despite it being curable in almost 97% of patients affected. Stigma can also happen after a person has recovered from COVID-19 or been released from home isolation or quarantine. [4] To minimize the spread of deadly fast-growing infectious disease, we also need to address this stigmatization in COVID-19 patients.
Multiple reasons have been attributed for causing stigma in the COVID 19 pandemic, like improper information about the spread of disease along with increased fear and anxiety have been endorsed to create stigma in pandemics. This is further aggravated by measures like isolation and physical distancing, which are essential for preventing the spread of disease. [1] On occasion, the danger of losing can extrapolate to social and moral circumstances, which can further cause stigma. However, the actual origin of stigma is very complex and may extend beyond concepts such as a social disability or moral transgressions. Rumours and misconception regarding the pandemics contribute to mental health issues consequences. Stigma, along with isolation measures, can act as a catalyst for many psychological issues, especially in people who are at risk. [5] The adverse mental health impacts do not simply stop after the quarantine period but continue due to stigma. There has been a fear and stigma against COVID-19 pandemics and may lead to a negative impact on health control measures. Secondly, patients with mental health issues are often discriminated against and stigmatized, and these patients may not have timely access to health care. Health care providers must be, therefore, aware of risk factors and the potential psychological consequences of stigmatization and prolonged quarantine. [5,6]
There is an urgent need to counter such prejudices and to rise as a community that is empowered with health literacy and responds appropriately in the face of this adversity. Stopping stigma is important in making all community members safer and healthier. Everyone can help prevent this discrimination by knowing the facts right and sharing them with other community members. It is recommended that the privacy and confidentiality of those seeking health care must be preserved. Speaking out against negative statements on social media, making sure that news channels and other media groups are roped into speaking out against stereotyping groups facing stigma is needed. At the same time, creating virtual resources for mental health and other social support services for people who have experienced stigma and discrimination is essential.
References
1. Badrfam R, Zandifar A. Stigma Over COVID-19; New Conception Beyond Individual Sense. Arch Med Res. 2020 May 20:S0188-4409(20)30754-2.
2. Person B., Sy F., Holton K. Fear and stigma: the epidemic within the SARS outbreak. Emerg Infect Dis. 2004;10:358
3. World Health Organization, speeches 2020. https://www.who.int/dg/speeches/detail/who-director-general-s-opening-re....
4. Santos CF. Reflections about the impact of the SARS-COV-2/COVID-19 pandemic on mental health. Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry. 2020 Jun;42(3):329-.
5 . Cheung EY. An outbreak of fear rumours and stigma: Psychosocial support for the Ebola virus disease outbreak in West Africa. Intervention 2015;13:45-84.
6. Bruns, Debra Pettit, et al. “COVID-19: Facts, Cultural Considerations, and Risk of Stigmatization.” Journal of Transcultural Nursing, vol. 31, no. 4, July 2020, pp. 326–332, doi:10.1177/1043659620917724.
Competing interests: No competing interests