In terms of the mental health of the population being restored after the pandemic, there are various ways in which society can be restored back to its ‘original’ form pre-COVID-19.
One of the obvious ways in which the problem of drastic rise in suicide rates can be targeted is through creating a national strategy which states a clear commitment to suicide prevention. As we speak, there are only 28 countries that have such a strategy in place. The government can perhaps renew the legislations around suicide which will essentially allow more people to openly approach members of society if they are struggling with their mental health. One of the main ways in which we, as a society, can prevent suicide rates from going any higher after the pandemic is over, is through arranging groups where individuals who are struggling with their mental health can attend and speak to others who are going through the same situations as themselves. By arranging suicide prevention groups for society, those who are vulnerable to suicide will have a way to express themselves, which can essentially stabilise and then lower the rates of suicide. Throughout the pandemic, there have been various cases of suicide, where individuals have resorted to taking their own lives simply due to not being able to cope with pressure, whether the pressure is from work, from their families or any other reasons. By creating suicide prevention groups, and promoting them through newspaper articles and media outlets, more people will be willing to attend the groups consequently leading to the beginning of the journey to prevent the rates of suicide going any higher within a society that has already been hugely affected by the global pandemic.
Another way in which the government can put an end to the rise of mental health problems as a result of the pandemic is through promoting the idea of mental health awareness through the National Curriculum, in order to target those who are most vulnerable to mental health issues. Through introducing mental health awareness within schools, authorities are able to promote emotional wellbeing and build resilience through these programmes. By teaching teenagers and young children that it is okay not to be okay, the government are essentially giving a ‘voice’ those who are most vulnerable by giving people the knowledge, tools and resources that are needed to protect and improve the mental health of students and young children. Certain groups in society, like young children, are seen to be at an elevated risk of developing mental health problems. This vulnerability is essentially seen to be brought about by societal factors and the environments in which they live in. Therefore, in order to reduce the distress caused by mental health problems for those affected, as well as society as a whole, lessons should be implemented as soon as possible. By making mental health awareness a part of the national curriculum, the risk factors underpinning those that are seen to be the most vulnerable will be greatly reduced.
Additionally, another way in which the government can help support those who are vulnerable as a result of their mental health is by assisting the charities that are already open for those who are mentally unstable. By assisting these charities, the government would essentially be providing resources for those who suffer from mental health conditions and consequently could be saving lives. By supporting these charities, such as the Samaritans, the government would be giving these charities the funds to run their telephone and online support services 24 hours a day, in order to allow them to support the public effectively, rather than simply being available at given times during the day. Furthermore, through allowing phone lines to remain active 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, those who are vulnerable will be able to receive the correct help.
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