The director general of health, Jérôme Salomon, spoke on Tuesday, November 17, on the second wave of Covid-19 in France. He finds that the number of people in a depressed state is increasing.
- The Directorate General of Health has confirmed the multiplication of c
- The General Directorate of Health has confirmed the increase in the number of depressions linked to the second confinement
- Studies show that easy access to green spaces limits the psychological effects of confinement
Covid-19 is hurting our morale. Since the start of the coronavirus crisis in France, there have been more and more people in psychological suffering. In his speech, Tuesday, November 17, the director general of health, Jérôme Salomon, notes that the number of individuals in a depressed state has doubled between the end of September and the beginning of November. “This increase is observed in the general population but is particularly marked in people with financial problems or with a history of psychological disorders.he pointed out.
How do we protect our mental health?
Will the services dedicated to mental health be able to take care of this surplus of patients? Last September, Pr Antoine Pelissolo, psychiatrist, university professor and hospital practitioner (PU-PH Paris-Est Créteil University) explained to Why Doctor : “We should also increase the number of psychiatric nursing staff within the care structures, because I am afraid that we will soon reach saturation. Teleconsultation can make it possible to treat certain cases and relieve the flow of patients, but that does not does not replace a face-to-face meeting, the interactions are much less rich.”
The Director of Health recognizes the stressful and anxiety-provoking aspect of the current health situation. He gave some recommendations to the population, in particular intended for those in psychological suffering: “stay in touch with those around you, help those who need it, do not stay connected to the news all day, limit your alcohol consumption and tobacco, do not hesitate to consult a professional.”
[#COVID19] It is normal to feel anxious or stressed during this time. To spot a state of mental distress, 4 questions to ask yourself ⤵
Do not hesitate to ask for help :
????Find all the help on: https://t.co/r3j7O8Nlx1 pic.twitter.com/rOX5l69zb6– Ministry of Solidarity and Health (@MinSoliSante) November 17, 2020
Green spaces, a tool for preserving our mental health
Taking advantage of the time allowed to take the air also seems beneficial in this period of epidemic. In Ecological Applications, researchers show that access to green spaces reduces the psychological impact of Covid-19. This Japanese study was carried out thanks to the responses of 3,000 adults to a survey whose questions related to both their psychological state and their relationship to nature: their use of green spaces and their view from their window. Researchers find that the more often people visit green spaces, and the more they have access to a view of nature from their homes, the better they feel. This results in better self-confidence, a greater sense of happiness, and lower levels of depression and loneliness.
One kilometer around the home: a discriminating measure?
These positive effects of nature on our morale accentuate major inequalities: in France, going out for one hour each day is limited to a radius of one kilometer around the home, yet not everyone has access to a green space in this area. Tuesday, November 17, Europe Ecology – The Greens and Generation Ecology appealed to the Council of State to demand the repeal of this limit. For them, the state must “adopt measures to ensure equal access to nature for all French people“. They deplore the environmental inequalities caused by the measurement of one kilometer. The Council of State could rule within 48 hours.
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