The coronavirus pandemic now presents us with a tragically
similar, catastrophic moment. The human consequences we face—psychologically,
economically, and socially—are just beginning. But this time, it’s not just any
of our countries but global.
All of us are bombarded daily with messages and information
related to the pandemic. As this virus garners heightened attention from the
media, individuals may have difficulty delineating between misinformation and
accurate information about the illness.
I am not writing this article to perpetuate increased fear
among the counseling community regarding the spread of the novel coronavirus,
but rather to:
·
Provide resources helpful for staying informed
about the impact of COVID-19, which is a disease caused by SARS-Cov-2
·
Inform counseling professionals about how they
can support those affected by the virus and its societal impact
What does this
outbreak mean for certain descents?
Individuals who identify as East Asian or appear to be of
East Asian descent may be susceptible to experiencing elevated levels of stress
related to racism and xenophobia generated by misinformation about the virus.
The negative impact on affected individuals ranges from
financial and emotional to physical. For example, CNN reported that individuals
who appear East Asian have fallen victim to verbal and physical attacks
triggered by misguided fears of the infection.
Additionally, individuals may be quarantined as a result of
suspicions that they have been infected, leading to further stress. People
who are directly impacted by this wave of racism and xenophobia may
experience a vulnerability and lack of safety, perpetuating stress- and
trauma-related symptoms.
Although the economic impact of this pandemic has since
spread throughout the restaurant industry (and other industries), many Chinese
establishments, such as restaurants, were among the first to experience a major
decline of business even before community mitigation plans were announced.
The financial hit on
these establishments has been catastrophic for owners and their families. We
must be ready to employ the proper interventions and responses to promote
clients’ perseverance, resilience and well-being throughout the tensions that
plague our society.
Of course, many individuals in the general public are
fearful (or may become fearful) of contracting the virus. The anticipation of
the potential long-term effects of the virus can trigger individual fear and
stress-based responses.
In addition, an array of compounding or simultaneous
stressors can negatively affect individuals’ stress response systems in a
chronic manner, meaning that there is no break to return to a healthy physiological
state and functioning. These compounding or simultaneous stressors may include:
·
Uncertainty about what might happen next to
one’s life and health
·
The exponential curve of virus-confirmed cases
and deaths in the nation as reported in the media
·
No access or difficulty in accessing health
benefits
·
Financial constraints due to a recent job loss
caused by the pandemic
Stress-based responses may be worsened among those who lack
resources such as social support. This brings us to the reality that many
nations and communities have executed states of emergency, prompting
individuals and families to enter into social isolation. Considering the
potential negative psychological effects that may be manifested by social
isolation, mental health professionals must be ready to intervene and provide
support.
Social distancing, taken as a preventive measure to slow the
spread of the disease, largely compromises individuals’ daily functioning.
People are experiencing disruptions not just in the areas of employment and
schooling but also in accessing emotional support from others or even in having
regular interactions with others.
Individuals who may
not have access to technology to virtually stay connected with significant
others for emotional support are especially susceptible to social isolation.
Social isolation is a risk factor for a number of health-related concerns,
including depression.
As the virus continues to ravage communities around the
world, it is also important to note that people everywhere are experiencing the
loss of their prepandemic normalcy. As a result, many individuals are having
feelings associated with grief. Although this pandemic is hypothesized to be
temporary, the impact on lives may be much longer term.
Consider that many nonessential businesses have closed their
doors, leaving employees without work or a sustainable income to support their
families. Most individuals at this point are restrained from engaging in social
endeavors such as participating in team sports, attending classes, visiting
museums or engaging in other fun-related activities.
Most people can no longer meet up with friends or family for
regular social events and may feel a sense of loss as their former routines
vanish. Social distancing has also called for the cancellation or postponement
of important events such as college and high school graduations, preventing new
graduates from sharing in a momentous celebration with one another.
Furthermore, the mortality rate associated with COVID-19
continues to rise. People around the world are experiencing the deaths of loved
ones and fellow community members. Additionally, family members are assuming
the role of caretakers as their vulnerable loved ones fall ill to the virus. As
the responsibility to care for loved ones increases, individuals may have to
forfeit or abstain from other regular tasks and duties.
Recommendations for
counselors
Anxiety management: It is
understandable that clients may feel anxious about this situation. Counselors
should normalize and validate clients’ fears. Counselors should also talk about
factors that they can and cannot control.
Some factors that can be controlled
include getting regular exercise, making plans to meet with friends and loved
ones over virtual platforms, determining their exposure to news sources,
practicing good personal hygiene, and limiting the time spent in places such as
grocery stores where there may be larger crowds.
If clients appear stressed and anxious about the situation,
it is a good idea for counselors to help them gain the facts so that they can
accurately determine their risks in collaboration with their health care
providers and take reasonable precautions. Additionally, it is ideal to assist in
developing and enhancing adaptive coping skills, such as grounding techniques
or breathing exercises, so that they can effectively manage their anxiety.
Information giving: It is important
that counselors stay aware of the latest information available on the COVID-19
outbreak through their local public health authorities and on websites such as
those from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In addition, the World Health Organization (WHO) frequently
publishes coronavirus disease situation reports to provide updated
information on the outbreak in the world. The WHO website also provides reader-friendly
infographics and videos pertaining to protecting yourself and others from
getting sick, coping with stress during the pandemic, practicing food safety, and
staying healthy while travelling.
Counselors should also encourage people to stay informed by
providing the aforementioned resources.
Culturally responsive service in clinical
practice: Counselors can serve as protective and promotive factors
when working with individuals who are either directly or indirectly impacted by
the coronavirus. Counselors can promote the well-being through the establishment
of safety in the therapeutic process and providing them with the opportunity to
process the implications of this societal issue.
Additionally, counselors can
facilitate the process of healing and assist in mediating factors that
contribute to individuals’ vulnerability and risk. Therapy can be the catalyst
for adaptability to stressors and adversity brought on by the anticipation of
potential consequences from the spread of the virus.
It
is crucial that counselors uphold the ethical principles of the profession,
including beneficence, nonmaleficence, veracity, justice, fidelity and autonomy,
when working. Counselors must be attuned to clients’ well-being and do no harm,
as well as treating all individuals fairly and justly. Counselors must normalize
and validate concerns while also providing accurate psychoeducation to communities.
Counselors should also be aware that certain ethnic groups,
such as those of East Asian descent, may be experiencing additional stressors.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly referred to the novel coronavirus as the
“Chinese virus” because of its origin in China.
I believe such
language has contributed to the significant and disproportionate number of
verbal and physical attacks on individuals of East Asian descent living in
different countries globally.
I therefore encourage counselors to address these social and
societal challenges, including how such challenges may be affecting their well-being.
Counselors should be ready to advocate and provide a voice for individuals who
may be marginalized and oppressed due to the societal impact of the outbreak.
Conclusion
We humans are resilient. We can bend the arc of crisis
toward the light, to recovering our existing but overwhelmed capabilities. We
can achieve this in a variety of ways. We can practice self-care. This isn't an
act of selfishness but is rather like putting on your own oxygen mask before
trying to help your friend or loved one do the same. We can stay connected to
the people we care about. We can eat well, get sufficient sleep, take a walk.
Finally,
I encourage all counseling professionals to partake in preventative measures
against further expansion of COVID-19 globally. After all, prevention is one of
the philosophical cornerstones of the counseling profession.
My
hope is that this article will give professional counselors and counseling
students an opportunity to educate the community with accurate information
regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, I hope that professional
counselors are informed and effectively equipped to provide support for those
who are affected by the virus and its societal impact.
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