Covid-19 : Bouncing back will make us stronger
We have been living under the Movement Control Order (MCO) for almost four months now. We are getting used to expecting the unexpected and almost everything seems uncertain and unpredictable.
Every single one of us is continuously anxious about changes due to the expectations to practise the new normal. It was such an amazing ride that we all survived being locked down. No one would have thought that this could happen to us. This is something no one has ever experienced before.
Resilient individuals are those who bounce back and cope well after a crisis. Young and old are experiencing the toughest days of their lives being confined at home, unable to perform their daily routines or move around freely.
The effects of Covid-19 can be unbearable and painful. We are affected in many ways and at different levels, from the individual, familial, communal to national levels. The challenge is when one’s mental health is being affected.
We learn certain things are beyond our control and we are not in a position to change anything. Knowing that our lives are restricted and controlled is not easy in the beginning.
Once we accept the fact that there is no other way around it, we are more accepting of the rule.
Then, we realise that living by the standard operating procedures is not that bad after all. Coping through crisis is an effort. The young and old, men and women have different ways of dealing with difficulties.
Allowing the flexibility to cope and being less rigid in one’s expectations makes the process more or less palatable.
That is what adjusting to changes is all about. Once a person is able to react positively to the situation or challenge, they will be taking themselves out of the rut of being trapped and suffocated in the crisis.
While we are thankful that the Health Ministry is steering us through the Covid-19 pandemic, it is equally important to help people manage issues that may have arisen due to financial and psychological effects. Staying home is not always pleasant to all.
Some people are struggling to cope with loss of jobs, family conflicts, domestic violence and interrupted education (schools and universities). Thus, support becomes crucial in different forms.
Financial support, food aid, psycho-emotional support help lines and all kinds of psycho-educations from generous individuals, educators, non-governmental organisations and government agencies are pouring in.
No one is supposed to go hungry in our community. If anyone asks what skill we all gained from Covid-19, we have the same answer: we learn to accept, cope and adjust to all the possibilities and unpredictabilities in life no matter how hard it is.
It is still hard, but we have the choice to make it happen.We learn the best lessons in our lives. We learn about life when it is uncertain and how to survive and cope better. We are building a resilient society.
It is almost over and we will make it through. After what happened, we stand tall to be one resilient nation.
Congratulations, Malaysians!
Dr Haniza Rais
Department of Education Psychology & Counseling Kulliyyah of Education International Islamic University Malaysia.
NST
