Читать книгу Counseling Practice During Phases of a Pandemic Virus - Mark A. Stebnicki - Страница 71

At Level 2, the person has fair to good mental, behavioral, and psychosocial health. The individual questions the seriousness, lethality, and consequences of a pandemic virus. They are generally compliant with virus hygiene protocols, although there is minimization of the seriousness, lethality, and consequences of a pandemic virus. They are sometimes noncompliant with virus hygiene protocols such as wearing masks, washing hands, and keeping a safe social distance. They are also somewhat confused about the efficacy of taking vaccines. Individuals at Level 2 may experience and react with slight irrational fear and anxiety; however, this is directed more toward their changing environment, which they do not understand, recognize, or feel they have control over because of a pandemic disaster. Individuals at Level 2 are more affected by trigger events (e.g., media reporting of positive COVID-19 cases, COVID-related illnesses and deaths, school and workplace closures) and form their pandemic ideology based on events that may or may not directly impact their lives. Clinically significant psychological/emotional symptoms and conditions are not dealt with in a therapeutic manner, but individuals may consider interventions if the symptoms increase, if the symptoms become persistent stressors, and if treatment is prompted by the home or work environment. The individual exhibits stress-hardy behaviors on an occasional basis. They make take longer to bounce back from adversity compared to individuals at Level 1. Individuals at Level 2 at times endorse public health principles, practices, guidelines, and government mandates, but only in environments where it is socially acceptable and fits with their philosophy regarding public health standards of practice. They generally view good virus hygiene as nonessential protection for themselves and others. Thus, persons at Level 2 take many more virus hygiene risks than persons at Level 1. Individuals at Level 2 struggle with balance, adaptation, and adjustment in relation to their changing pandemic environment. The individual conforms to the socially acceptable standard of grief and loss. However, the extraordinary stressful and/or traumatic events associated with a pandemic virus are ignored because these individuals are internally focused on their own lives and avoid thoughts, feelings, and cognitions associated with a disaster. Persons at Level 2 struggle with balancing the reality of a pandemic disaster with other life responsibilities. They are challenged with moving forward because of life circumstances related to their medical, physical, and mental health conditions. Persons at Level 2 also have mild to moderate academic, job, career, relational, financial, and other hardships that may be beyond their control. Their overall mental and physical well-being is mildly compromised by their inability to cope with adversity. Persons at Level 2 find some meaning in their existence but find it challenging to gain consistent relief during the phases of a pandemic disaster. Adjustment and adaptation to the overall effects of a pandemic virus are challenging for persons at Level 2 because they sometimes struggle with a path forward to achieve overall health and well-being. The mental, behavioral, psychosocial, and medical/physical health of the individual at Level 2 is demonstrated by the following.