It is impossible to deny the extraordinary social impact of the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-Cov-2). We are all bombarded daily with news and information related to the pandemic. Because this virus attracts media attention, it can be difficult for individuals to distinguish between misinformation and accurate information about the disease.
We are not writing this article to keep the advisors' growing fear of the spread of the novel corona virus going, but to:
Provide helpful resources to stay informed about the effects of COVID-19, a disease caused by SARS-Cov-2
Tell the advisors how they can help clients affected by the virus and its social impact
What does this outbreak mean for our customers?
It is important to understand the social impact of this outbreak so that we can promote optimal care for the customers we serve.
Individuals who identify themselves as East Asian or who appear to be of East Asian descent may be susceptible to increased stress related to racism and xenophobia caused by misinformation about the virus. The negative effects on data subjects range from financial and emotional to physical. For example, CNN reported that people who appear to be East Asian have been the victims of verbal and physical attacks triggered by misguided fear of infection. In addition, people can be quarantined if they suspect an infection, leading to further stress. Clients directly affected by this wave of racism and xenophobia can experience vulnerability and lack of security, and can maintain symptoms related to stress and trauma.
Although the economic impact of this pandemic has since spread to the entire hospitality industry (and other industries), many Chinese businesses, such as B. Restaurants, among the first to see a sharp decline in business before plans to curb the community were announced. The financial success of these facilities was catastrophic for the owners and their families. We must be ready to take the right interventions and measures to promote the persistence, resilience and well-being of customers during the tensions that plague our society.
There is no doubt that the novel corona virus poses a major threat to the entire US economy and the health of our nation as a whole, but concerns are more pronounced among certain populations. For example, the Pew Research Center reported that approximately 65% of Latinx adults say the coronavirus outbreak is a major threat to the health of the U.S. population as a whole, compared to approximately 47% of the general public. The same source reports that the outbreak has the potential to hit many of the country's nearly 60 million Latinos as particularly difficult. This is due in part to the fact that a significant percentage of these people work in the leisure, hospitality and other service industries and are less likely to have health insurance.
Of course, many people in public are afraid (or may be afraid) of becoming infected with the virus. Anticipating the possible long-term effects of the virus can trigger individual anxiety and stress-based reactions. In addition, a number of composite or simultaneous stress factors can chronically adversely affect people's stress response systems, meaning that there is no interruption to return to a healthy physiological state and function. These composite or simultaneous stressors can include:
Uncertainty about what could happen besides your own life and health
The exponential curve of virus-confirmed cases and deaths in the nation, as reported in the media
No access or difficulty accessing health benefits
Financial bottlenecks due to a recent job loss caused by the pandemic
Stress-based reactions can worsen in people who lack resources such as social support.
This brings us to the reality that many states and communities have enforced exceptional states that cause individuals and families to become socially isolated. Given the possible negative psychological effects that social isolation can manifest, psychiatrists must be willing to intervene and provide support.
Social distancing as a preventive measure to slow the spread of the disease largely affects the daily functioning of the individual. People experience disruptions not only in employment and school, but also in access to emotional support from others or even in regular interactions with others. Individuals who may not have access to technology to remain virtually connected to significant others for emotional support are particularly vulnerable to social isolation. Social isolation is a risk factor for a number of health problems, including depression.
As the virus continues to devastate communities around the world, it is also important to note that people everywhere are losing their pre-pandemic normality. As a result, many people have feelings associated with grief. Although this pandemic is believed to be temporary, its impact on life can be much longer-term.
Remember that many nonessential companies have closed their doors and employees have no work or no sustainable income to support their families. At this point, most people are prevented from performing social activities such as participating in team sports, attending classes, visiting museums, or other entertaining activities. Most people can no longer meet with friends or family at regular social events, and may feel lost when their previous routines disappear. Social distancing has also required the cancellation or postponement of important events such as college and university degrees to prevent new graduates from participating in a significant celebration.
In addition, the mortality rate associated with COVID-19 continues to increase. People around the world are experiencing the deaths of relatives and other community members. In addition, family members take on the role of caretakers as their vulnerable relatives fall ill with the virus. As responsibility for caring for loved ones increases, individuals may have to waive or refrain from other regular duties and duties.
Recommendations for consultants
Anxiety Management: It is understandable that customers feel concerned about this situation. Consultants should normalize and validate clients' fears. Consultants should also talk to clients about factors that they can and cannot control. Factors that customers can control include regular exercise, plans to meet friends and family on virtual platforms, contacting news sources, good personal hygiene, and limiting the amount of time they may spend in grocery stores Crowds.
When clients appear stressed and concerned about the situation, it is a good idea for consultants to help them determine the facts so that clients, in collaboration with their healthcare providers, can accurately determine their risks and take appropriate precautions. In addition, it is ideal to help clients develop and improve adaptive coping skills such as grounding techniques or breathing exercises so that they can effectively manage their anxiety.
Provide information: It is important that advisors are informed of the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak via their local health authorities and on websites such as those of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
In addition, the World Health Organization (WHO) frequently publishes reports on the situation of coronavirus diseases to provide updated information on the outbreak in the world. The WHO website also offers reader-friendly infographics and videos related to protecting yourself and others from illness, coping with stress during the pandemic, practicing food safety and staying healthy while traveling.
Neuroscience News & Research from Technology Networks has a short, layperson-friendly video clip titled "What Happens When You Get Corona Virus?" that describes how the coronavirus affects the human body.
Consultants should also encourage their clients to stay up to date by providing the above resources.
Culturally appealing service in clinical practice: Consultants can serve as protective and supporting factors when working with people who are either directly or indirectly affected by the coronavirus. Consultants can promote client well-being by creating security in the therapeutic process and by enabling them to deal with the effects of this social problem. In addition, counselors can facilitate the healing process and help convey factors that contribute to individual vulnerability and risk. Therapy can be the catalyst for the client's ability to adapt to stress factors and adversities caused by anticipating the possible consequences of the spread of the virus.
It is critical that advisors adhere to the ethical principles of the profession when working with clients, including charity, non-deficiency, truthfulness, justice, loyalty and autonomy. Consultants must be attuned to the well-being of the clients and must not cause any damage and must treat everyone fairly and fairly. Counselors must normalize and validate clients' concerns while ensuring accurate psychoeducation (not just for our clients but for the rest of our communities as well).
Advisers should also be aware that certain ethnic groups, such as B. such East Asian descent, may be exposed to additional stressors. President Donald Trump has repeatedly referred to the novel corona virus because of its origin in China as the "Chinese virus". We believe that such a language has contributed to the significant and disproportionate number of verbal and physical attacks against people of East Asian descent in the United States.
We encourage counselors to address these social and societal challenges with these clients, including how such challenges can affect their well-being. Consultants should be willing to stand up for people and give them a voice that may be marginalized and suppressed due to the social impact of the outbreak.
Conclusion
We hope this article will provide professional counselors and guidance students with the opportunity to educate the community about the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, we hope that professional advisors are informed and effectively equipped to support clients affected by the virus and its social impact. Finally, we encourage all advisors to participate in preventive measures against the further expansion of COVID-19 in the nation. After all, prevention is one of the philosophical cornerstones of the consulting profession.
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Yoon Suh Moh is an assistant professor in the community and trauma counseling program at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. As a licensed professional counselor, nationally certified counselor and certified rehabilitation counselor, her main areas of clinical and research interest are the effects of chronic or toxic stress on mental illness, the well-being of counseling professionals and integrative, healing-oriented approaches such as neurocounseling. Contact them at [email protected].
Katharine Sperandio is an assistant professor in the community and trauma counseling program at Thomas Jefferson University. Her focus is on addiction counseling, counselor training, addiction and family systems as well as questions of social justice in counseling. Contact her at [email protected].
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It should not be assumed that opinions and statements in articles that appear on CT Online reflect the opinions of the publishers or guidelines of the American Counseling Association.
