Coping with the COVID-19 pandemic

COVID-19 has been declared a pandemic, and anxiety around the illness, as well as self-isolation and quarantine practices can have an impact on people’s mental health.

In this episode, Hamilton (doctor), and Marcus and Sachin (mental health doctors) discuss the potential psychological impact of quarantine, and then talk about how the gaming community is reacting to this massive change in living situation. Can games help you cope?

We use the following sources:

A review of the evidence of the psychological impact of quarantine and how to reduce it: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)30460-8/fulltext

Correspondence advising that the effect of home confinement on children during the COVID-19 pandemic should be considered and mitigated https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)30547-X/fulltext

How people in China are using games to cope with self-isolation https://edition.cnn.com/2020/02/13/intl_business/gaming-china-coronavirus/index.html

A list of games you should consider playing while stuck indoors self-isolating https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/13/21178215/games-quarantine-coronavirus-play-pokemon-shield-sword-stardew-valley-pubg-persona

Gamers are turning to games about pandemics, perhaps to help process the COVID-19 pandemic https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2020/02/16/virus-games-are-going-viral-coronavirus-spreads/

Pokemon Go is making adjustments so players can play without having to leave home https://www.polygon.com/2020/3/12/21177754/pokemon-go-coronavirus-habitat-increases-incubators-pokestop-gifts

In Japan, kids stuck home from school get access to free anime and manga to keep their spirits up https://www.crunchyroll.com/en-gb/anime-news/2020/03/04-1/japanese-cable-anime-tv-channels-animax-and-kids-station-goes-free-for-kids-at-home-due-to-coronavirus-crisis

Mind has great practical advice on maintaining your wellbeing during the pandemic, including advice on health and social care https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/