COVID-19 causes mental - health disorders, suicide tests increase

Two experts in this field of medicine who live and work in New York City say that children and teenagers are the most expensive emotional categories in this pandemic. With child and teen psychiatrist Dr. Zana Dobroshi and Child Mental Health Adviser Ariana Bruncaj-Metalia spoke to journalist Burim Gojuli.

In addition to increasing the number of infected people and those who die from COVID-19, the number of people who are suffering mental - health disorders has increased.

The constant threat from the disease that caused the death of at least 1.6 million people and the new way of living under restrictive measures is particularly affecting children and teenagers, says Ariana Brunchaaj-Metalia, mental health adviser at child medical centre “Cohen” and the emergency care center “Behacioral” in New York.

We're seeing more kids hurting themselves. The number of children expressing thoughts about suicide, children who have lost interest in what they once enjoyed, thoughts that are difficult to manage. They simply have no interest in getting involved in anything and isolating themselves by avoiding any opportunities for association. We're seeing people from bad thoughts growing anxious and having trouble sleeping since spring”, said Mrs. Brunchay-Metalia, who is engaged in an emergency psychiatry aid department at a New York hospital.

“Anxiety, depression and suicide actions have tripled in children. Every day we have at least two children trying to kill themselves”.

Dr. Zana Dobroshi works at the children's psych clinic at Harlem Hospital in New York and is an associate professor at Columbia University. Medical doctor Dobroshi says that children's mental health depends on that of their parents.

I would propose that every parent go according to the flight rules. If you fly and there is not enough oxygen, first put your mask on for yourself. That means first take care of yourself. It's not selfish if the parent cares about himself. Although our parents, especially those Albanians, have taught us that sacrifice is a virtue, now it needs to be cared for”, says Dr. Dobroshi.

Mental - health professionals recommend that parents talk openly with their children, but they always hope that the pandemic is going to an end.

You can talk openly to them about your difficulties. For example, how do you manage the stress and nervousness you feel? Our children learn a lot by watching us. We should be examples to them, showing them that we too feel angry and that we cope with that feeling by taking time off from work, by taking a walk, by exercise, or by conversing with a friend. Open these conversations because children feel more confident about using the methods we're showing”, says Mrs. Brunchia-Metalia.

If there's no funny thing, do something funny, humor up and laugh as much as you can. Smile hard. We have laughter groups in the hospital. One starts laughing and the whole group laughs. That's how laughter starts out of touch and becomes connected. It's stimulating action and it creates a positive atmosphere. We must remember that we must always be positive, not negative. And if there is something negative we should take the child and ask as a partner how to fix this and what we should do, says Dr. Zana Dobroshi.

Mrs Bruncaj-Metalia expresses concern that the concentration people feel of asking for help when it comes to the mental level can hurt them more.

“I see that Albanians have a lot of difficulty with the stigma related to mental health, but mental health is just as important as physical health. He even has a strong bond. Sleep and nutrition are linked to mental health. I hope Albanians have more of this conversation because there is no reason to be ashamed”, she says.

Mental - health professionals recommend engaging in activities that improve the emotional state, such as listening to music, drawing, or watching a movie, but also creating a routine and rules.