Men’s Mental Health Challenges in the COVID-19 Era

“Will I get it? Will someone I love get it? Will one of us die? When will it end?”

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By Jed Diamond Ph.D

I’m guessing that few people in the world had ever heard about COVID-19 until a few months ago. Now everyone has heard and most of us are scared. We ask ourselves, “Will I get it? Will someone I love get it? Will one of us die? When will it end?”

There really are two pandemics we’re dealing with. First, is the spread of the virus and its impact on our physical health. Second, is the spread of the fear and panic and its impact on our mental health. For me, both of these fears are up close and personal. I’m in the high-risk group for getting the virus, getting sick, and dying:

• I’m older (age 76).
• I’ve had chronic lung problems most of my life.
• I’m a man.

I’m also in the high-risk group for having mental and emotional problems associated with COVID-19.

• I’ve suffered from depression all my life.
• I worry a lot and suffer from anxiety.
• When I get stressed, I get angry, which often pushes away those I need for emotional support.