Mental health endangered during state of emergency, worsen after relaxation

Radmila Vuic Bojovic, a psychotherapist, and Aleksandar Plavisic, a ‘Centre Heart’ volunteer, said that after the state of emergency was abolished, the number of people who needed help due to mental problems had increased.

“We are in the aftermath of tough measures, followed by a strange, sudden relaxation. The coronavirus epidemic is like a magnifying glass – what looked good, would seem better, and what seemed bad would probably look worse,” Vuic Bojovic said. She added that the consequences for mental health had not been talked about enough.

Plavsic said the number of people who sought help from the Centre increased after the state of emergency. “At one point, the support seemed to have disappeared. People stopped talking, pretending they were all right like nothing had happened. But, they need constant help, especially if they are in an acute crisis.”

Both agreed that it was never enough talks about mental health and that endangered people needed permanent help.”

Plavsic added that “we are the greatly illiterate and neglected nation” regarding mental health.

Both also warned about the way media reported on ‘successful suicide’ which, according to them, could encourage those thinking of ending their life to try that. 

They said that people with such problems should talk about them and that besides experts, family and friends could also help to make then open up.