By: Dr. Jeff Cadichon, Nadege Clinical Director
On Thursday, April 9, Haitian health officials reported that they now have 30 confirmed cases of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). After confirming last Monday the country’s first death, a 55-year-old man with no travel history, the health authorities reported a second death, a 69 woman with hypertension and diabetes. Haiti now has community transmission of the coronavirus. Compared to the neighboring Dominican Republic, which has tested more than 4,000 people and registered 1,488 positive COVID-19 cases and 68 deaths, Haiti has only administered 257 tests.
As in any pandemic, people who are experiencing the situation of the COVID-19, not only in Haiti but around the world, can feel stressed and worried. And, it's normal because their mindsets switch from living to survival. So, it is normal if they show common responses such as fear of falling ill and dying; fear for loved ones’ lives; fear of losing livelihoods and not being able to work during isolation, and of losing job; fear of being separated from loved ones and caregivers due to quarantine regime; fear of reliving the experience of a previous epidemic and more. This situation can increase anxiety and depression symptoms.
In Haiti, specific risk factors can have consequences on the mental health of the population. These include the poor socio-economic conditions, a very weak health system, mistrust of government, and the distrust of the government’s capacity to manage the crisis etc.
On a personal note, I am experiencing the COVID-19 crisis first hand in Haiti and felt mental ups and downs the days following the confirmation of the first two cases on March 19. On this day, I came back to Port-au-Prince, after a professional trip in a provincial town. And I was thinking seriously of traveling to Florida during the weekend to see my lovely wife and our beautiful daughter. Later in the evening, I heard about the COVID-19 case in Haiti and commercial flights being suspended with the exception of transportation of merchandise and captains and the pilots of cargo vessels/planes.
During the following 48 hours, I experienced psychological distress, such as symptoms of panic disorder (racing heartbeat or palpitations, changes in my mental state, chest pain or tightness) and anxiety (infection fears, feeling powerless in protecting my loved ones and fear of losing and being separated from loved ones because of the virus).
As a clinical psychologist, I knew it was normal. But as a human being among many, I was not ready. I had to face this adversity of being separated from my family for an undisclosed period of time. For my self-care, I used some coping strategies such as keeping in touch with my wife, daughter and loved ones, listening to music, singing (but I swear I am a bad singer :), praying, keeping some professional activities by strictly respecting social distance barriers, helping others, living with gratitude, identifying reliable news sources and avoiding listening to the news too often.
I have to say talking to my wife and my daughter via video call is my favorite part of the day. Our daughter is 8 months old, but she and I can actually have amazing conversations. The language of babies is so powerful. I was able to witness her saying ''Hi Daddy'' for her 8th monthsary, which was just priceless.
For those who are facing covid-19 mental health consequences, like symptoms of panic disorders, anxiety and depression, the coping strategies that I tried may help you. Some helpful others may include: dancing, physical exercise, journaling, relaxation and breathing exercises, art therapy, working on personal projects at home and more. Being creative is necessary. Cultural and personal resources may help us get on the other side of COVID-19 as mentally healthier individuals.