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Going to be contentious. I find it ironic and a little transparent that the same people who mocked those with mental illness in the past, who didn't care to even learn, are the ones citing it to prevent a lockdown. Yes, MH is very important, but it's not a political football.
I'm a psych doc, I know very much the etiologies and risk around trauma, self-isolation and illness. I also know the benefits of structure and time with family. Its never as simple as this. But simply yelling 'mental health' as a resposte to COVID lockdown measures is silly.
We all have a responsibility to look after each other. I have looked after patients all the way through this pandemic. And yes, it has had an effect. But we cannot simply use it as a carte blanche, there are steps before this.
The acute MH systems are still running, and have not stopped. They have never fully been funded to meet demand, and yet they continue to do the best they can. This is what we do day after day. If it worsens, we will say and ask for more help, as we do.
But comparing the two types of illness, MH vs COVID is simply false, I have treated a ward full of MH patients with covid, its never simple. We cannot use any single factor as a reason for rejecting another. The longer covid goes on, the worse this will all get.
And before anyone says 'but you are a psychiatrist, how could you not put your patients first.' I am, id rather they are alive bud. Many are very high risk.
There will be indeed a lot of suffering to deal with after this ends, and we will be there to deal with it the best we can. You can help us by listening and not utilising the suffering of patients to force your own political agenda.
That said, you should always ask for help if you need it, either a GP, your care co-ordinator, crisis team, family, friends, emergency department or community mental health team. You are not abandoned, the same rules apply. We are always here.
* and incase you ask, those with MH illness are often at high risk. Many have worse physical states, chronic diseases and may be on medication that increases the risk of severe outcomes. This is why they are managed by doctors. You can help us by ending this infection.