COVID And Its Toll On Mental Health

"I have never made a secret of having had my own mental health issues. An Olympic gold medal didn't get rid of my depression or anxiety, nor did it make it easier to deal with my own internal demons, fears or monsters."
"We [her group of consultants] seek to identify an idea that makes people want to jump out of bed excited in the morning."
"I reckoned if I rode exceptionally hard during training sessions, I'd be totally exhausted and wouldn't have to face my demons."
"I had feelings of isolation from travelling alone and they triggered anxiety in me. That led to feelings of anger, resentment, irritability, restlessness and even paralysis."
"I would push people away through my anger and aggression. As an athlete I knew I had the physical ability to perform at an international level and win, but I had so many doubts that mentally I would sabotage my performance."
"It was an outstanding psychologist who diagnosed me with Cyclo-thymic, a mood disorder that causes ups and downs. And it was my GP who later convinced me medication would help."
“My dream career opened up for me when I came across a video made by Ontario-born Bob Proctor, an expert on human potential and success who believes in teaching people the skills and tools to transform their lives."
"The way to start is to set a goal that really excites and scares you at the same time. Just like a computer, one's mind needs to be updated."
Lori-Ann Muenzer, 54, Canadian Olympic cycling gold medallist, 2004

She hasn't entirely moved away from cycling, still helping other, younger cyclists in their training. But as a mental-health consultant associated with a medical professional who inspied her, she now teaches other people to become self-motivated, and to search for a type of work that will fulfill their yearning for the perfect occupation. She found hers in becoming a professional consultant, in a team of consultants under the professional guidance of a human guidance expert. During this time of COVID-19, many people suffering under the strain of fear and uncertainty are experiencing mental health problems.

People report feelings of depression, grief, fear, panic and anxiety, brought on by the COVID-19 lockdown. Under these abnormal circumstances, according to Statistics Canada's crowdsourcing survey, about 24 percent of Canadians reported recently fair or poor mental health. An earlier survey undertaken in 2018 had found in comparison, eight percent of Canadians reporting fair or poor mental health. It's clear -- and mental  health professionals anticipated just that -- that the uncertainty and fear and impact on employment, the economy and emotional issues -- of the lockdown has led to fearful consequences for many.

Lori-Ann Muenzer, Olympic cycling gold medallist. Nick Lees / Postmedia

What this woman with her own lifelong acquaintance with mental health issues now engages in is coaching clients to train and to concentrate their minds, just as an Olympian would. Ms. Muenzer starts out by having her clients focus on that often-elusive goal; what they really would appreciate in their lives to gain quality and attain a job that fits with their anticipated goals. Just getting by no longer fits the bill of happiness and satisfaction in life. An established goal and a protocol for reaching out to fulfill that goal reflects the mission.

As a champion cyclist she had her experiences, good and not so good, but found "freedom, bliss and happiness" in the sport when she began racing at age 22, swiftly morphing into an elite cyclist. Her dream didn't end with an accident that saw her plunging off a six-metre cliff when she was out mountain biking. She had set a goal for herself; to cycle within two or three years as an Olympian for her country, determined to win an Olympic gold medal. It took her 18 years to realize that dream.

On her way to succeeding in the goal she had set for herself, she had her share of setbacks, causing self-doubts that ofen destabilized her mental equilibrium. Enough so that she looked for professional medical advice, which resulted in being diagnosed with Cyclo-thymic disorder, a mood disorder causing feelings of depression alternating with elation, in repeat cycles. In her profession as a motivational speaker with her Olympian background, she speaks with authority and conviction, confident in the knowledge that she can be of assistance to others, helping them to reach their dreams.