Don’t relapse in quarantine, warns mental health chief

Mental distress and even relapses into substance abuse can occur during periods of isolation or quarantine as TT tries to curb the spread of covid19, warned Dr Hazel Othello, director of the Mental Health Unit in the Ministry of Health.

At the post-Cabinet briefing on Thursday at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s she urged all to take care of their mental health and later told Newsday the ministry will soon issue guidelines to help.

Othello, a psychiatrist, urged the public to not overload on social media and to keep their children calm by way of a daily schedule.

“We have to take care of ourselves, particularly for persons isolated or in quarantine situations. They’ve gone through changes different from anything they may have experienced before.

“They might find themselves feeling anxious, sad, confused, or irritable.”

She reassured these are natural reactions and are no cause for worry or panic.

“What is important is for people to support each other, encourage each other. It is important to stay calm.”

Othello urged people to limit their social media intake.

“Sometimes it’s just too much.”

She hoped children, now at home, will not see anxiety in their parents, but be bolstered by a schedule of activities.

“Let them do things they enjoy doing – but let them do some schoolwork as well. Let them have their recreation, let them eat on time, so there is a rhythm, so there is a pattern.”

She said this will reduce the uncertainty in their lives.

Othello urged people with pre-existing mental health conditions to take their medication and stay in touch with their doctor.

She said some citizens are at risk of substance abuse disorder.

“If you are a recovering alcoholic, now is not the time to try to cope with the stress by taking a drink. That is just not an option at this time.

"I’ve seen a few interviews of people sitting outside bars talking about coping –‘Just a few drinks and you’ll be fine’– but that is not the best coping strategy, okay?

“It is particularly dangerous for recovering alcoholics who need to maintain their sobriety, and recovering persons who have been users of other substances. Please continue to maintain your sobriety during this difficult period.”