As the outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) threatens to last longer, an increasing number of people are suffering from depression and stress. The photo above shows people on March 23 sitting apart from one each at a café near Keimyung University in Daegu.
By Xu Aiying and Lee Jihae Photos = Yonhap News
An office worker cannot focus on her task at all. She keeps thinking about news on the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and worries over getting infected while at public facilities or riding public transportation such as the subway. She is stuck at home -- including for work – and had to cancel her spring vacation abroad, factors that are making her increasingly depressed.
An increasing number of people are suffering from stress and depression amid the global spread of COVID-19. Koreans even have the neologism "corona blues," which refers to depression caused by the coronavirus.
Experts say people need to take both mental and physical steps to effectively handle the COVID-19 crisis. Long-term stress caused by the coronavirus could cause mental instability and physical symptoms, with people harboring the fear of continuous danger lurking.
"It's crucial to maintain an everyday rhythm to prevent the corona blues,'" said Dr. Seok Jeong-ho at Gangnam Severance Hospital in Seoul.
"It's important to alleviate your fears by taking a stroll at a park or perform an individual outdoor exercise."
"The daily bombardment of news on COVID-19 can cause psychological scars," he added, saying the setting of a time schedule for watching and gathering news might help.
People suffering from the so-called corona blues should consult a mental health professional. The photo above is a scene from Oncheon Stream Park in Busan on March 24.
The variety of symptoms of the corona blues is why people should ask a mental health professional if unsure of what to do.
Since March 9, the Central Disease Control Headquarters under the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) and Korean Psychological Association have held counseling for those suffering from the condition.
Counseling from experts is available by calling the KCDC's call center toll free at 1339. The Korean Psychological Association also provides free counseling on weekdays and weekends from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily (070-5067-2619 or 2819). Those who tested positive for COVID-19 and their families can call the National Center for Disaster Trauma (02-2204-0001~2), and those in quarantine and others can receive counseling from the Community Mental Health Center (1577-0199).