COMMITTEE FOR DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION THE IMPORTANCE OF MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS AS WE EMERGE FROM THE PANDEMIC BY MARISA N. GRANT | NC STATE UNIVERSITY
AFTER A TAXING YEAR AND A HALF a post-pandemic world presents welcome relief to those who have missed social interaction, working from the office, or struggled with restricted activities. Many people are excited about the return of indoor dining, meeting up with friends and summer travel. However, for people with new or pre-existing mental health illnesses, thinking about the reality of returning to a pre-pandemic way of life results in fear, general and social anxiety, and stress. The pandemic has created a new divide among people: those who are anxious about reintegration and those who welcome it. No matter one’s personal feelings about the reintegration process, one thing is true: the entire world experienced a collective trauma with COVID-19, and like with any trauma, time is necessary for healing and working through it will take longer for some. The trauma experienced during the past 16 months has led to far-reaching mental health issues that can be uncomfortable for most people to discuss. Those who still have concerns about COVID-19, especially with new strains emerging, are experiencing major anxiety about “getting back to normal” and what that means for their daily lives. Not feeling ready or safe to return to indoor dining, social events, or in-office work can result in feelings of despair. It is no wonder that many people, especially those who experience social anxiety, have thrived during the pandemic. Consequently, for some, receiving the notification to return to work or feeling forced to interact with colleagues or clients without masks or social distancing may result in a downward spiral of well-being. The stigma around mental health can leave people feeling isolated, embarrassed, or more anxious and depressed and the result is a vicious cycle that can leave one feeling out of control. That’s why focusing on mental health as we emerge from the pandemic should be embraced and normalized. If you are feeling anxious about the world opening back up, you are not alone. Robynn E. Moraites, executive director of the NC Lawyer Assistance Program, said, “[people are] anxious and nervous about re-entry, even people who do not have a prior history of anxiety.” In fact, the American Psychiatric Association found in a recent poll that 43% of adults report the pandemic has had a serious impact on their mental health, up from 37% in 2020. Fiftynine percent of adults younger than 30 and 54% of adults aged 30 to 44 reported serious impacts on their mental health. In addition to COVID-19, the pandemic led to more publicized racial disparities and strife. Lawyers of color have faced additional issues during the pandemic leading to increased anxiety. Staying at home has provided safety for lawyers, especially those who are Black or Asian, who have experienced and/or witnessed acts of racism. Although complete isolation is not healthy for anyone, lawyers of color may find continued remote work appealing because it can reduce the chance of being harassed or even assaulted while out in public. So while White lawyers were significantly more likely than lawyers of color to miss interacting with people at the office according to a survey by the American Bar Association, conversely, The Washington Post found that Black employees especially have benefited from remote work as it significantly reduces the (sometimes unintended) acts of microaggressions against them. The article notes that allowing employees of color the opportunity to work in environments where they do not have to “keep their guard up” allows them to focus on work productivity rather than expending energy on race-based biases. Furthermore, lawyers in high-risk categories like those with autoimmune diseases may experience increased anxiety and depression about the world reopening and returning to the office since becoming infected with COVID-19 is still a possibility, despite the increase in vaccinations. In reality, remote work opportunities or the ability to avoid social gatherings will continue to dwindle as we are encouraged to return to a pre-pandemic lifestyle. Therefore, setting boundaries to protect your mental health will be crucial. Feeling pressure to attend everything from an office lunch to happy hour is normal. However, re-engaging in social activities should be taken at your own pace and you should not feel guilty about saying “no” to an invitation. It’s important to remember that everyone has handled the stress of the pandemic differently. Stop and think about what another person might be going through and practice compassion, for both yourself and others. Moraites said it can be helpful to share feelings of anxiousness as a way to “normalize” mental health discussions. Other ways to protect your mental health are to consume less news about the pandemic or current events in general and engage in healthy, fun and relaxing activities and routines. Whether it’s exercising, listening to music, reading, gardening or talking with friends more frequently, continuing self-care is important for overall well-being. Finally, remember that self-care is not selfish, mental health is as important as physical health, and it is ok to seek help. Making your mental health a priority doesn’t make you weak, it makes you strong. WBF
For more tips and resources on mental health, visit the NC LAP Mental and Well-Being Tool Kit or contact BarCARES at 919-929-1227 or visit www.barcares.org.
WAKE BAR FLYER
8
THIRD QUARTER 2021
