High stress levels during the pandemic are making even everyday choices difficult to navigate. From that standpoint, Dr. Desiree Khoury, the certified practitioner of a holistic approach for mental fitness graciously offered a public virtual seminar on Psychoeducation.
Growing numbers of adults say that the uncertainty of the pandemic has made planning for their future feel impossible, and that their stress levels are so high that they sometimes struggle with even basic decisions. On top of pandemic-related stress, the vast majority of Lebanese adults are reporting new stress related to fewer resources and worries about inflation and global as well as domestic uncertainty coming in the form of financial hardship.
For others, personal safety was of a primary concern about whether to gather with others—an activity known to boost mental well-being yet potentially harmful to physical health because of the risk of COVID-19 exposure.
Nearly everyone expressed having faced upended routines, shifting public health guidance, and an ongoing need for risk assessment, leaving them feeling overwhelmed, depressed and highly stressed out.
The workshop highlighted the fact that stress depletes some of the psychological resources, such as willpower, leaving people feeling helpless.
Psychological research points to cognitive and emotional roots of the challenges people are facing, as well as some possible solutions.
The brain’s response to stress helps explain some of the cognitive changes. Therefore, the workshop focused on how stress tends to have an inhibitory effect on the prefrontal cortex, which helps with tasks like planning, evaluation, and emotion regulation.
Dr. Khoury explained that: ”it is generally known that those who have a good understanding of the challenges they are facing as well as sufficient knowledge of coping abilities, a realistic view of internal and external resources, and a sound acknowledgement of their own areas of strength are often better able to address difficulties, feel more in control, and have a greater internal capacity to work toward mental and emotional regulation and well-being.”
“Psychoeducation has been recognized as an important component in the treatment of stress related issues leading to positive outcomes, such as improving personal and psychosocial functioning” she added.
Participants gave excellent feedback, saying that they gained an improved knowledge of stress and its treatment. Many of them emphasized the usefulness of learned self-management strategies, especially the recognition of warning signs and the safety of seeking professional help.
The workshop provided attendees with opportunities for peer exchange, allowing them to verbalize their feelings and to mutually support each other.
In her closing key message, Dr. Khoury said: “Psychoeducation is an effective strategy for increasing the number of people who suffer from emotional and mental dis-ease to be more open and attentive to their wellbeing, and more receptive to counselling knowing that it might be one of the best decisions they can make in their journey, away from the stigma and taboo around it.”