Psychological appointments have increased more than usual during this December 2020. COVID-19 has been another factor that worsens the already aggravated situation related to mental health.

We had the opportunity to interview psychologist Miriam Fermoso Paredes, who works at the civil association Ludoterapia Autocreadora and who is a member of the Tijuana Mothers' Club. She told us that the requests for psychological attention have increased a lot lately.

Consultations have risen in adults, especially because of the pandemic with more restrictions and the alarming news...are causing more depression. Not just in adults but in young people. The situation is delicate.

The psychologist shared some tips that can help people cope with difficulties during this difficult and isolating season.

Tell people to focus on enjoying and appreciating today. Families are in crisis, and knowing that they have to shut down and live together is causing them distress, because many are not getting along at all. Stop having fears and stop taking things personally is important. I would ask people to hold on to their faith...whatever they have in their heart. Whether it's faith in God or in the religion they want...but to have hope, a motivation and encouragement in something so that they can put aside the negative. Even though it's difficult, it's about putting aside the problems and things that hurt and upset you. Make it your purpose not to talk about tragedies, it is better to deal with positive issues. With the cold coming up it is also important to get active and keep busy with something productive.

Miriam Fermoso, who is used to attending mainly to teenagers during her weekly sessions, pointed out an alarming problem.

There is a lot going on with eating disorders within them (young people), both bulimia and anorexia. As their life now is really virtual, they spend it locked up in their homes. And either they eat in excess or they are not eating at all. We have to pay attention to our children and check their nutrition. I've treated serious cases of boys who have lost up to 20 kilos and I've had to send them to the mental health hospital. They're either asleep or they're on the computer, and there comes a time when their bodies ask for help and they've even had to be hospitalized.

With the closure of activities and the economic crisis that we have been dragging on in recent months, several social resources and supports that were previously viable and accessible to all have stopped operating.

With the pandemic many shelter homes have closed. It is complicated because they were caring for beaten women and their children; they were part of civil associations and have stopped receiving support...So how do they do it? Sexual abuse and domestic violence have increased within homes. These are issues that are not talked about, that people prefer not to touch, but it should be the other way around.

If you are a person looking for psychological support and don't have the means to pay for a consultation, there is an alternative that the UABC has made available to the public, as they provide online support through the Mental Health Committee.

The hours of operation are from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday to Saturday and you can send a message via inbox on their Facebook page, find them as Comité de Salud Mental FMP.

Once contacted, an exploration of the problem that the person is going through is done in order to channel it to the most appropriate service. When it is a serious situation that requires a more specialized intervention of the psychiatric type, you are asked to call 911 or 075.

If you wish to consult more information on this subject, we recommend you access this link.

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