Staggered by Long‑Covid: The Silent Struggle That Turned Tragic
It’s a story that feels all too familiar—one that feels like a personal letter set in a small town in Texas, written in fear and frustration. Scott Taylor, a 56‑year‑old who became a casualty of the 2020 pandemic, had never really shaken off the virus. Even after nearly two years, he was still battling the debilitating aftermath that many patients call long‑Covid.
“No One Genuinely Listens—Just Hushed Acknowledgment”
In his last message to an old friend, Scott captured the quiet desperation that clings to many who endure these symptoms. “> No one cares. No one wants to take the time to listen,” he typed. He also listed a dizzying parade of symptoms that had become his daily reality:
- Exhaustion from the slightest movement
- Chronic pain that laced his spine
- An ever‑spinning world, nausea, and how every small task felt over the top
- The heart‑stopping moments when his mind simply couldn’t keep up with what he was saying
Long‑Covid: A Riddle Wrapped in a Mystery
According to the World Health Organisation, long‑Covid is slightly like a riddle you’re meant to solve over the course of a speck of time, but the answer is shrouded in more than 200 possible symptoms. Think fatigue, cognitive fog, pain, fever, even heart palpitations—anything that could look like the number of other illnesses out there. Nothing stands out as a red flag because it could be so (inconceivably) ordinary.
Canada of Numbers: When the Numbers Don’t Talk Back
So, what’s the death toll? Unfortunately, researchers have yet to let the figures bow out. Yet, a chorus of scientists—including those at the US National Institutes of Health and a British data‑driven think‑tank—are taking the investigative plunge. They’re trying to answer whether a silent whisper of increased depression or absurd‑ly lonely “I wish I could just spin in myself” leads to real suicidal intent.
“We’re Accounting for theG. hmpres:” A Look at the Real People Behind the Data
Turn to Dr. Leo Sher of Mount Sinai Health System, a psychiatrist that’s never been shy about the emotional cloud that sits on the chorus of people with long‑Covid. In his words, “Long‑Covid is linked to suicidal thoughts, attempts, plans and the dreaded, all‑my‑head‑shattered nightmare: suicide death. But merely guesswork until epidemiological data actually prove it.”
Sometimes, life doesn’t feel like it’s formed of simple countable, linear steps—and the truth is that the single heartbreak of long‑Covid echoes around in the corners of every close friend a person can imagine, even if the voice that blew inside a small Texan house in those final days can’t be heard again. Below stands the story of the riddle: the puzzle that still has no final answer. We need voice, visibility, and compassion for each person who’s ever felt a prick in the mind and a throbbing ache in the body and has spelled out the hearts who might exist on the fringe of problem but often get congratulated.
Long‑Covid and Mental Health: New Research Highlights Potential Risks
Lauren Nichols, who has been living with long‑Covid, recently took a break from her work in Andover, Massachusetts to check her blood‑oxygen levels and heart rate on a small device that sits on her finger. This simple snapshot sheds light on a bigger picture that scientists are trying to untangle.
Is the Virus Turning Our Brains Inside Out?
Researchers are already asking hard questions: Could the virus be changing brain biology in a way that sparks more suicidal thoughts? Or is it the crushing loss of everyday function—like what people with chronic illness often face—that drives them to the edge?
What the Experts Say
- Pain and inflammation: Dr. Sher points out that chronic pain and brain inflammation stand out as leading predictors of suicide, and both have been linked to long‑Covid.
- Listen up! “We should take this seriously,” he underscores.
Data That Sound Anything But Fiction
A study by Seattle‑based health‑data firm Truveta, reported to Reuters, found that people with long‑Covid were almost twice as likely to receive their first antidepressant prescription within 90 days of their initial Covid diagnosis. That’s a real alarm bell.
How the Numbers Came Together
- Dataset spanned 20 major US hospital systems covering over 1.3 million adults diagnosed with Covid‑19 and 19,000 diagnosed with long‑Covid.
- Time frame: May 2020 – July 2022.
In a nutshell, long‑Covid isn’t just a lingering cough or fatigue—it’s a complex, multifaceted issue that might be quietly nudging many toward mental health challenges. The community is listening and calling for more urgent action.
‘We don’t know the extent’
Long‑Term Fallout of COVID‑19: What We’re Still Learning
When the world finally started to see the light after the pandemic, little did we know that the real drama was still unfolding behind the scenes. Scientists and governments are only now putting the pieces together on how COVID‑19 might leave a lasting imprint on our bodies and minds.
Why the Numbers Are Still a Puzzle
- About 15 % of people keep feeling sick even a year after infection. That’s a fact from the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation.
- Long‑COVID has no silver‑bullet cure right now. Those symptoms—fatigue, brain fog, shortness of breath—can actually force people out of the workforce.
- Psychological shock? It might be a real kink in the system: researchers suspect a jump in mental‑health issues and even suicides linked to prolonged COVID.
The U.S. Numbers that Hit Home
In the United States alone, the Office of Oversight estimates that up to 23 million folks have battled ongoing symptoms. Roughly 4.5 million of them have had to leave their jobs, which means about 2.4 % of the entire workforce is now dealing with a disease that keeps on giving.
What That Looks Like on the Ground
Imagine all those people—busy parents, long‑haul drivers, teachers, bakers—facing health hurdles that show up like a persistent rainstorm. Their daily routine becomes a jigsaw with missing pieces, and the sheer number means recruiters and employers are juggling not just a regular hiring drive but a workforce on leave.
Putting It All Together
Even though many people recover within months, there’s a solid shred of uncertainty about the long road ahead. In short: We’re in the early stages of science, history, and policy trying to map a post‑pandemic world, and a good chunk of that journey involves figuring out how to support those stuck in the “long‑COVID zone” and to keep the workforce from sliding into a post‑pandemic slump.
Long‑COVID‑Life: The Pharmacy Hidden in a Bathroom Sink
In a quiet corner of Andover, Massachusetts, Lauren Nichols keeps a “medicine cabinet” that’s literally a bathroom sink. It’s a daily reminder that for some folks, COVID‑19 is not a quick stumble across the finish line—it’s a marathon, and the finish line is still a long way off.
What’s in the Sink?
Between water‑resistant bottles and a stack of pills, Lauren’s arsenal includes:
- Inhalers for lingering coughs
- Painkillers for bone‑trembling aches
- Supplements for energy that’s gathering dust
- A cup of “beer‑in‑a‑beer‑bottle” medicine for those days when medication feels like a joke
It’s a subtle blend of hope and frustration—like a caffeine‑containing cocktail that’s still figuring out its flavor.
Across the Globe: 150 Million and Counting
The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) estimates that, up to 2024, almost 150 million people worldwide have brushed up on long‑COVID’s endless buffet. That’s roughly the population of a few marine‑protected areas, except the “area” is actually a pool of post‑viral side‑effects.
Hidden Numbers in Developing Countries
In places where data collection is more like an archaeological dig than a health survey, the picture is even murkier. Professor Murad Khan of the Aga Khan University in Karachi says, “We have a huge problem, but we don’t know the extent of the problem.” It’s a truth as bleak as a sunrise after a long storm.
Why the Picture is Cloudy
Long‐COVID suffers from a lack of:
- Regular tracking of symptoms
- Standardized medical definitions
- Sufficient resources for battling symptoms that feel like a non‑stop roller coaster
Professor Khan is part of a global think‑tank that studies the link between COVID‑19 and suicide risk. While some may think this is all doom‑and‑gloom, a small portion of his team points out that the conversation can be grounded in hope—after all, a grateful few learn to navigate daily life with a steady heartbeat.
Bottom Line? Still a Long Way Beyond
Long‑COVID is still the new frontier in healthcare. Follow Lauren’s daily routine, listen to the drums of dependency, and realize that every stride forward is a story of resilience—a story that can be shared with a sprinkle of humor, a touch of compassion, and an undeniable human spark.
Hitting breaking point
The Silent Crisis of Long Covid
When Time Runs Out
For a growing number of people who still feel the aftershocks of Covid‑19, time is money and hope is slipping away. Interviewers with Reuters visited dozens of patients, families, and experts who all echo the same urgent feeling: too many are running out of both.
Case in Point: Taylor
Julian Taylor was cutting his hair as a genomic‑test salesman until a sudden layoff in summer 2020 left him unemployed. When his health coverage from his former employer hit the expiry date and his Social‑Security appeal got denied, his brother Mark said: “It was the straw that broke the camel’s back.”
Tragic Loss: Heidi Ferrer
Heidi (50), a TV screenwriter native to Kansas, stepped away from a world of scripts and lights when the relentless pain from a Covid‑19 bout made she unable to walk or sleep. She took her own life in May 2021. Her husband, Nick Guthe, turned his grief into activism.
Why Did It Feel Unmanageable?
Until last winter, Guthe hadn’t heard of other suicides among long‑Covid patients. “They’re now coming on a weekly basis,” he says, echoing a trend that’s hard to ignore.
Numbers Are Alarming
- 44% of nearly 200 members of Survivor Corps said they had contemplated suicide, according to a May poll.
- Body Politic’s board member Lauren Nichols confirms over 50 social‑media contacts who have taken their own lives, though these cases couldn’t be independently verified.
- Lauren herself, a 34‑year‑old logistics specialist for the U.S. Department of Transportation, has found several suicidal thoughts over the past two years because of long Covid.
Helping Those in Desperation
Some turn to Exit International, a group that guides English speakers toward assisted‑dying options in Switzerland. Fiona Stewart says the organization, while not tracking outcomes, has seen its inquiries swell from a handful during the pandemic to about one per week now.
What This Means for Everyone
The cost isn’t just medical—it’s emotional, financial, and psychological. Those battling long Covid are so far out of hope that they’re reaching for the last resort. Understanding this helps us treat the disease as more than a symptom, but a full‑blown crisis demanding compassion, resources, and, more importantly, open conversation.
Long Covid and Omicron
Long Covid & the Dark Side of Your Brain
The U.S. National Institutes of Health is on the case, weaving a $470 million Investigational Recover study into the ever‑mysterious long‑Covid saga. It’s already keeping a close eye on folks who feel more anxious or down than a cat stuck in a tree. By early September, we’ll know the anxiety‑and‑depression stats, but the garbage‑picking question of suicide will have to wait.
What the Experts Are Saying
- Dr. Stuart Katz (lead researcher) warns that survivors of chronic illnesses can be a walking, talking men‑ace for suicidal thoughts and attempts.
- Richard Gallagher of NYU Langone Health – a recovered brain‑sage – drops a truth bomb: even mild COVID can inflame the brain. Brain inflammation? Cue the usual suspects: depression, and yes, the bleak specter of suicide.
- “There might be a nasty combination of direct toxin effects and the inflammation flickered all over,” Gallagher explains.
How Much Health Does Long Covid Strip?
The University of Washington’s IHME tells us that, on average, long‑Covid dims overall health by a tidy 21 percent – roughly the same drop you’d see if you had been rendered totally deaf or suffered a traumatic brain injury.
Did Omicron Manage to Forget the Boss of Long Covid?
While many thought the new strain was a bit kinder, a splash of officially published UK numbers says otherwise. 34 percent of the 2 million people who might have long‑Covid symptoms are stepping back onto the field after an Omicron hit.
In the U.K., a council of know‑knows is cross‑examining suicide risk among long‑Covid patients versus the general population. Meanwhile, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) is trying to figure out if it can pre‑assess suicide risk like it does for cancer patients.
What Researchers Are Hear‑ing
- Louis Appleby, a UN Academy for Psychiatry professor, reminds us that lasting disabilities, no matter how they arrived, add a heavier burden to suicide risk.
- A recent cross‑border study documented a six‑fold jump in suicide risk for people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) – a post‑viral maladies that feels eerily similar to long‑Covid.
Long‑Covid Treatment Centers: A Nightmare of Wait
Britain’s long‑Covid centres are so overloaded that people feel ghosted. In June, a record summit, only one‑third of patients got an appointment within six weeks of their referral. Another one‑third had to endure over fifteen weeks before they could knock on the doors.
Personal Pain & Small Glimmers of Hope
Ruth Oshikanlu used to be a midwife and later a pregnancy coach, so she knew the highs and lows of caring. Now, long‑Covid is threatening the beat of her heart. When her side hustle folded due to financial strain, she had a dark moment that felt like an end to the story.
“I was crying to the accountant, and the guy kept me on hold— I think he didn’t want to be the last person to talk to me,” she recalls. “What COVID gives you is a lot of time to brood,” she says. “Thankfully, I didn’t jump in the final, but I know a lot of people who had those thoughts.”
In a world where the viral storm has left a lingering mist, it’s no wonder the whispers of mental distress grow louder. But remember: even if the winds are still, there’s always a lighthouse on the horizon.
SINGAPORE HELPLINES
Struggling in the COVID‑19 Bubble? Here’s a Quick List of Friendly Lifelines
Sometimes life feels like one long Zoom meeting—empty, silent, and you’re the only voice you hear. If that’s you, you’re not alone. Grab a cup of tea, and let’s walk through the hotlines that can give you a real, human connection.
Singapore Support Numbers (Call Anytime, 24/7)
- Samaritans of Singapore – 1800‑221‑4444 – Your go‑to chat‑buddy for when you feel all alone.
- Singapore Association for Mental Health – 1800‑283‑7019 – Ready to listen, no judgment, no drama.
- Care Corner Counselling Centre (Mandarin) – 1800‑353‑5800 – If Mandarin makes you feel more at‑ease.
- Institute of Mental Health Helpline – 6389‑2222 – For quick advice and help during that scary “unknown” phase.
- Silver Ribbon – 6386‑1928 – Because everyone deserves a friendly ear.
- Shan You Counselling Centre (Mandarin) – 6741‑0078 – “Shan You” means “help” in Mandarin, so you know what it is.
- Fei Yue’s Online Counselling Service – www.eC2.sg – (don’t worry, it’s not a secret portal, it’s just a website you can type.)
- Tinkle Friend (for primary school kids) – 1800‑2744‑788 – The kid‑friendly hotline to make sure schools aren’t the only place for a voice‑breaker.
Why All This Matters During COVID‑19
Since the pandemic started, COVID‑19 has stretched our connections thin. If you’re experiencing anxiety, insomnia, or the lonely darkness that swells with epic memes and endless livestreams, reaching out is the best way to stay grounded.
Heart‑Warming Update on COVID‑19 Mental Health and Suicides
- Stats have shown a quiet rise in mental health challenges, and a noticeable spike in crisis situations requiring urgent help.
- Those feel like they’re walking a lone path are more likely to reach out if they see an easy way to talk, such as the numbers above.
- Remember: It’s not a sign of weakness, but a step toward healing—and you can get help—even from a phone that mysteriously doesn’t need a charger.
So, next time you’re scrolling through TikTok and hit “double‑tap” a meme about “life is bland,” maybe double‑tap a phone call instead. You’ve got allies in Singapore ready to support you—no matter how crowded the world feels.
