Miguel Gárriz attributes this situation to a number factors triggered by COVID-19, such as job losses, furlough schemes, the loss of loved ones or working from home, “one of the factors to blame for an increase in stress, according to studies and testimonies from many patients”. According to Gárriz, working from home generates “a conflict of roles that often leads to an overload and difficulty performing them all satisfactorily, which, when paired with a lack of social contact, causes even greater emotional distress”.

 

The lecturer from the Bachelor's Degree in Psychology stated that “it seems clear that the population’s mental health will be one of this pandemic’s main victims” and “it is probably unavoidable”. In his opinion, in order to reduce the number of people affected, “it is important to bolster the mechanisms in place for fighting the virus and its consequences, in particular by improving the public health system and social protection measures".

 

He also stated that unfortunately, the public mental healthcare system “is experiencing chronic shortages that will make it difficult to suitably address the problems sparked by this pandemic. Both primary and specialised healthcare services urgently need more resources”. Gárriz concluded by adding that “individuals can implement mental and physical self-care measures that could have a notable impact on our current circumstances, but unfortunately for many, it is easier said than done”.