The Lancet (Lancet.com) posted a literature review of research on the psychological effects of Quarantine on February 28, 2020. It is a great article that can help us as religious and community leaders to know what is happening among the people we serve. It will be important for us to recognize the signs of post-trauma psychological issues so that we can help to mitigate them. If we can understand the stressors inherent in a quarantine, we can provide healthy ministry when the quarantine ends.
The Lancet listed a collection of stressors people wrestle with during a quarantine. Here are some a minister will likely see: Infection fears, inadequate information, frustration, boredom, and financial loss. Quarantine-related trauma among children is 4x higher that it is among children who were not quarantined. Trauma-related mental health issues impacted 28 % of parents who were quarantined and 6% of those who were not.
Trauma-related mental health issues included: Confusion, irritability and anger, detachment, anxiety and anxiety-induced insomnia, poor concentration, indecisiveness, and deteriorating work performance. Low Mood and Irritability were the highest scores. Most of the adverse effects came from the restriction of liberty according to the review. Altruistic or voluntary quarantine was associated with less stress and fewer long-term consequences.
What does this mean for ministries? As I'm thinking through our re-opening, I have a few ideas (and I would be glad to hear yours).
1. I want to restore the sense of self-confidence in making decisions. I want my parishioners to know, even if we open as soon as it is legal to do so, it will be their choice. Come when you feel safe, wear a mask or don't wear a mask, and sit where you want to sit. No judgement.
2. At the end of a quarantine, only 5% reported feelings of happiness, 4% feelings of relief. Issues of anger and depression continued in some people for 4-6 months. We will need a listening ear as we return, being careful not to sing songs to a heavy heart.
3. Ministers should speak clearly and compassionately about the results of quarantine and a Christian response. They should speak with respect about the political leaders who made decisions with which they might disagree. Perhaps this time everyone should get a pass. There will be time afterwards to discuss the merits of quarantine and the restriction of liberty.
4. Financial stress may linger long after the quarantine has ended. Lack of employment can eat into savings, and cause conflict in marriages, at the workplace, and anxiety within. Some financial bondage is self-inflicted but the quarantine was beyond their control. Benevolence at this time could be money well-spent. Be careful about making the recipient jump through hoops. Now is not the time for regulation.
5. On the first Sunday back, we'll take it easy. Coffee and fellowship in the vestibule at 9:00am. Private prayer in the sanctuary. One service at 11:00am. No hoopla. Big party later, but for now, we minister peace, rest, and contentment to be together worshiping again.
I would love to hear ideas from others as they contemplate life after the quarantine. We have not been this way before and in the multitude of counselors, there is safety.
