Pedro Delgado is head of European and Latin American business development for Institute for Healthcare Improvement. Their motto is an old Irish proverb. This says ‘When you come upon a wall, throw your hat over it, and then go get your hat.’ Their goal is improving health and healthcare worldwide. That’s quite some goal in the light of the Covid epidemic. In the midst of all this, Pedro wants to see more social togetherness in these times.
Is More Social Togetherness in These Times Wise?
Our first response was to wonder how this fits in with the imperative for social distancing. However, when we investigated Pedro’s thinking we discovered the two are actually quite compatible. He wants to highlight the impact the term ‘social distancing’ is having on mental health, because it conveys a sense of isolation.
He cites a report by the journal Science that says social isolation has unintended health consequences. Our risk of contracting depression, dementia, heart disease and even death increases in the absence of stress-reducing social support. Pedro believes more social togetherness in these times will help counter the impact of this.
Translating Social Distancing into Something More Positive
Pedro Delgado says there’s evidence of a connection between our immune system and our psychological well-being. We therefore need to counter the sense of isolation classic social distancing is causing. He cites examples from Europe of other ways of achieving that goal, while still remaining apart.
Residents in Italian apartments had singalongs during lock down, while in Spain they played bingo between buildings. In Scotland, neighborhoods are forming support groups to assist with shopping, and help kids study from home at a distance.
Pedro wants us to move on from doing social distancing as something forced upon us. Instead, he hopes we can translate it into more social togetherness in these times. Then we can help each other cope with emotional pressure by showing more tolerance, solidarity, compassion, and kindness. Should we start doing this today?
Related
World Health Advice for People in Isolation
Maintaining Our Mental Health During Covid 19
Preview Image: Sense of Isolation
