Mental Health And Wellbeing 2020 In Review | Everything You Need To Know

Year 2020! 

This phrase is likely to bring different emotions to everyone. This year has definitely been a roller-coaster ride for all in terms of emotions, finances, relationships, and mental health. The excitement of entering the new year was soon replaced with apprehensive thoughts, worrisome thinking, fearful emotions, and feeling of helplessness.

That is the reason why this year has seen a massive shift in how we view mental health. Today we are going to see the year 2020 and mental health in the review. We also have a special section on how Calm Sage has contributed its part during this most important year of mental wellness. 

Mental Health and 2020: In Review

COVID-19 and Mental Health: 2020 in Review

Many research have been carried out to understand the impact of the pandemic on the mental health of an individual. It was seen that both people diagnosed with COVID-19 and those who didn’t, experienced a negative impact on their mental health. Some of the common mental issues that were linked with COVID-19 are anxiety, depression, self-reported stress, disturbed sleep, phobias, and more.

WHO also emphasized taking care of one’s mental health to fight off the pandemic. After all, the concepts of a healthy mind and a healthy body go hand in hand. Considering the same, Penn State conducted research and found out that certain coping strategies can help offset pandemic’s mental health hits.

This includes coping strategies like wearing masks, maintaining social distancing, focusing on self-care, seeking support when we need it, and choosing activities that keep us moving forward which were linked with positive mental health. More studies were conducted in the same line, and the findings supported these coping mechanisms as a shield from COVID-19 impact on mental health. 

Calm Sage’s contribution:

Workplace and Mental Health: 2020 in Review

Different news articles highlighted the impact of change in work-life on the mental health of an employee. Working from home wasn’t a cakewalk for employees. Managing personal and professional life came up as a challenge along with numerous online calls. This event gave rise to a new mental health challenge “zoom fatigue” which refers to emotional, physical, and mental burnout resulting from too many video calls and screen interface. 

Working from home was a treat for some but a challenge for many. Managing work-life, personal life, and the pandemic did take a toll on the mental health of many. That’s why new guidelines were given to ensure that the employee’s mental health remains intact. One such guideline that was promoted by many companies is shared with you below. 

Calm Sage’s contribution:

Kids and Mental Health: 2020 in Review

Kids, whose world starts outside the four walls, did experience the feeling of being trapped amid the pandemic. While their days were all about fun with friends, they could barely go out and meet them this year. Which definitely made it crucial to take extra care of them. Many mental health professionals came forward from around the world to emphasize the behavioral changes experienced by kids and youngsters during the current pandemic situation. 

Election and Mental Health: 2020 in Review

Apart from the pandemic, another stressor for the year 2020 was the elections! Experts also emphasized keeping a check on one’s mental health as they predicted the pandemic elections to weigh heavily on the overall wellness of an individual. 

Calm Sage’s contribution:

Mental Health in General Across The Year 2020

Apart from the four major areas of focus, we just discussed, there were some other important areas and milestones that the field of mental health witnessed this year.

On World Mental Health Day, 10th October, the World Health Organization, for the first time ever, hosted a global online advocacy Event on mental health. At this event – the Big Event for Mental Health – WHO showcased the work that its staff has been doing around the world to reduce mental illness and the harmful use of alcohol and drugs. World leaders and mental health experts joined the WHO Director-General and talked about their commitment to mental health and what more must be done.

United for Global Mental Health organized the 24-hour March for Mental Health. On 9 October, people from around the world were encouraged to participate in a virtual march. A 24-hour live stream featured people with lived experience, mental health leaders, and influencers from the civil society groups already active in 19 countries through the Speak Your Mind campaign.

New findings also came up showing the negative impact of pollution on mental health. Good news came up for video game players as a new study suggested that video games do have a positive impact on an individual’s mental health. This finding left everyone questioning the age-long findings that have supported a negative link between the two. More such findings around mental health remained the focus of the year 2020. 

Calm Sage’s Contribution to Mental Health Awareness: 2020 in Review

Calm Sage has stood true with its logo of spreading billions of smiles this year. Calm Sage ensured that while people might be having nth sources of stressors amid the pandemic, they will offer solutions to everyone through their social media posts, blogs, podcasts, videos, and webinars. 

Calm Sage celebrates every important day that centers around mental health and wellness from hosting webinars throughout the stress management month to celebrating mental health week. The platform did help many to find the answers to their daily struggles and pave their way towards a happy life. And it promises to be there for the mental wellness of everyone, forever. 

Conclusion:

To conclude this review on mental health and the year 2020 I have to say that the year 2020 was a year of appreciation for what we have. This year did teach us to be grateful for what we have and never let the ray of hope get dull. While we are all set to step in 2021, make sure that you take care of your mental health and those around you. Let “Be Kind” be the mantra of the year 2021. 

Psst… If at any point you someone to talk to feel free to connect with us at info@calmsage.com

Wishing you all a very Hopeful New Year from Team, Calm Sage.