Can you imagine living through the COVID-19 pandemic if you already felt alone or excluded?
Think about how that may feel. Do you feel scared or anxious? Do you feel sad or hopeless?
Long before we were told to stay at home because of COVID-19, some people in our community felt socially isolated. People may feel alone for many different reasons – family members or peers may exclude them because of a health diagnosis, substance use, because of who they are attracted to, or the way they identify or express their gender.
Public health officials are asking people to self-isolate during this COVID-19 pandemic to keep people from getting sick.
But, self-isolating may leave some people feeling even more alone.
Especially if the supports they usually rely on are not available. Self-isolation may fuel deeper feelings of exclusion, which can be harmful for some peoples’ mental health.
Not being accepted is difficult. Dealing with the COVID-19 situation is difficult. People who experience stigma or social exclusion, for whatever reason, are in an even more difficult situation because they are further isolated. They may even have to self-isolate with those who are not accepting of them. This could put them at risk of experiencing violence.
If you are having a hard time with self-isolation, there is help. Please see the resources below.
The truth is, COVID-19 is shining a light on how the social culture of stigma and discrimination can impact the health of some community members. Stigma and discrimination stop us from including wonderful people into our lives. It can also put them at risk for harm.
Now is the chance to learn and work towards improving the social culture that puts people at risk for poor health.
Resources
If you feel you may be in danger, from others or to yourself, please call 911.
NEED HELP? Call Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Lambton-Kent Mental Health First Response Service 1-866-299-7447 (leave a voicemail and someone will call you back – available 24/7)
For more information about where to get mental health supports, please visit our Get Help page.
For information about how to stay mentally well during COVID-19, visit our Mental Health Hub.
Learn about how acceptance matters to our health on our health equity page.
Other Articles in the Can You Imagine Series
Living through COVID-19 in a different country?
Living through COVID-19 if you didn’t feel safe in your home?
Living through COVID-19 if you had limits on your physical or intellectual abilities?