Coping with society's psychological strain under the pandemic

Pal-Think for Strategic Studies implements the project “Gaza in the face of Corona”, funded by the Atlas Network, which includes among its activities the broadcast of a radio programme of 10 episodes drawing in experts to speak of the repercussions of the coronavirus pandemic on the health, economic, social, political, and other sectors. Joining in this episode was Mr Nasser Matar, a psychological counsellor.
Mr Matar spoke of the ways of facing psychological pressure in light of the pandemic, the importance of psychological stability, the psychological behaviours individuals should adopt in light of the pandemic, how the civil institutions worked to develop psychological-support programmes in light of the pandemic, and finally he proposed some recommendations for the citizens.

Mr Nasser took up many issues, especially the subject of mental health, because it is the most important side in our resistance to the coronavirus — given that tension and psychological pressure affect immunity and affect our will and our steadfastness before this virus. Especially as the Gaza Strip is returning to the stage of coexisting with the virus, since the Gaza Strip cannot bear the complete paralysis of life — it cannot bear it psychologically, nor health-wise, nor economically, nor tourism-wise — so it is upon us all to cooperate to reach the shore of safety in the coexistence stage, especially with the return of the universities and schools within the safety and prevention measures.

The guest spoke of the negatives of staying at home and the abundance of rumours and false news that affect negatively, in addition to the manner of fighting psychological pressure and how we avoid psychological pressure. Among the helping factors focused on during the episode were the foods that strengthen immunity and some rules we must adhere to inside the house.

Mr Matar pointed out that the lockdown period is considered a turning point in individuals' way of life, as the pandemic's arrival was unexpected and turned daily life upside down; and this new pattern throws a heavy responsibility onto the shoulders of mothers and wives, alongside the father's help. Mr Matar noted the importance of psychological stability during the pandemic, especially for children and adolescents, because there are great repercussions on this category and grave reflections on their way of life and their educational and personal performance.

At the end of the episode, Mr Nasser discussed the institutional role, and the civil institutions in particular, which work to develop psychological-support programmes in light of the coronavirus pandemic and to present the service to citizens, and he recommended adherence to public and personal health to limit the growth of the numbers of those infected with the coronavirus.