‘Covid forced us to confront overlooked vulnerabilities’

In March 2020, just a week before my PhD Viva, I received the news that everything had been cancelled. The UK was heading into lockdown as Covid-19 became a grave threat. What followed was an extraordinary period that disrupted every aspect of daily life. Covid was a collective experience, altering how we go about life, perceived health, and connect with one another. For me, it brought about profound changes both personally and professionally.

Before the pandemic, life operated with a sense of predictability, relying on routines and societal systems that seemed unshakable. Covid upended that stability, forcing us to confront vulnerabilities we often overlook – our health, our communities, and the frameworks we depend on.

Remote work became a necessity, redefining my understanding of productivity and communication. Initially, working from home felt like a privilege, but over time, it blurred the boundaries between personal and professional life. I missed the value of face-to-face interactions, particularly in contexts like working in clinics, teaching, mentoring, and conducting research. 

The lack of physical spaces for collaboration revealed how vital human connection is, even in a digital world. I learnt to cherish and maintain my connections despite challenging circumstances. Virtual check-ins and messages became vital, while moments of solitude allowed me to reflect and grow.

Professionally, the pandemic exposed glaring inequalities in healthcare, especially in mental health support. The isolation, fear, and grief that Covid-19 brought underscored the urgent need for accessible psychological services. Telehealth emerged as a lifeline for many, but it also highlighted digital and social inequities, particularly in reaching underserved communities. This realisation deepened my commitment to designing equitable and inclusive healthcare systems – a motivation that drives my work today.

Personally, the pandemic forced me to reevaluate my priorities. Before Covid, life often felt like a race, moving from one task to another with little time for reflection. The enforced slowdown taught me the value of rest, stillness, and intentionality in spending my time and energy. Self-care became central to this process, and I realised that it is not a luxury but a necessity. I saw our shared resilience as individuals and communities, particularly during uncertain times.

I finally completed my PhD Viva in June 2020. As one of the first students at my university to do this online, it was a surreal yet moving experience. With my parents in the next room, celebrating with them after learning I had passed was an unforgettable moment – a reminder that even in difficult times, there are moments of joy and accomplishment.

Collective action and cooperation

Covid-19 reshaped my understanding of health as a multidimensional concept encompassing physical, mental, and social well-being. The pandemic demonstrated the urgent need for integrative approaches to health, particularly in crises.

It left an indelible mark on how I view the world.

As part of this journey, I collaborated with peers on a charity initiative, Our Minds Matter, offering online workshops on mental well-being and anxiety for faith communities during the pandemic. I also continued to push energy into my podcasts, which I had started before the pandemic, through Psychology Cast, exploring why we do what we do and how psychology could provide guidance during uncertain times. These projects reinforced the power of community and the importance of sharing knowledge and resources during crises.

Covid-19 also challenged my understanding of uncertainty and adaptability. The pandemic was a stark reminder that life is unpredictable. Although we had months of warning as the virus spread globally, many systems failed to act decisively. This highlighted the importance of adaptability – not as a sign of invulnerability but as the ability to remain flexible and open to change. Thriving during uncertainty requires resourcefulness and an acceptance of circumstances beyond our control.

Perhaps the most poignant lesson was the significance of empathy and compassion. Supporting others through their struggles while acknowledging my limitations reinforced humanity's interconnectedness. Covid-19 showed us that collective action and cooperation are essential for survival. Without working together worldwide, we risked losing far more than we imagined. Look at how quickly the vaccination programme was put together and implemented.

Ultimately, the pandemic was transformative.

It reshaped how I view life, relationships, and my role in the world, leaving me more determined to contribute positively to my community and profession.

Diversity and Inclusion in population health and behaviour change

The pandemic magnified the intersection of psychology, diversity, and inclusion, particularly in the realms of population health and behaviour change. Covid-19 exposed long-standing inequities in healthcare systems, with marginalised groups disproportionately affected. From higher infection rates to limited access to care, the disparities were glaring. They underscored the need for a more inclusive approach to health psychology.

Psychology is critical in bridging the gap between individual behaviours and systemic factors. Understanding social determinants of health – such as income, education, and housing – enables psychologists to design interventions that address the root causes of health disparities. By acknowledging that both personal and environmental factors shape behaviour, psychology offers a pathway to equitable health outcomes.

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Diversity must be central to this work. Looking at the figure above provided by the UK Government in 2020, we can see what areas need to be addressed to help protect diverse populations. Effective health interventions require an understanding of cultural, social, and structural differences. Health campaigns incorporating cultural values are far more likely to resonate with their intended audiences, fostering meaningful behaviour change. Psychology provides the tools to explore these nuances and create inclusive, evidence-based interventions.

The pandemic also highlighted the critical need for equity in health communication. Misinformation disproportionately impacted marginalised communities, exacerbating health disparities. By leveraging insights from psychology, including culturally sensitive communication strategies, we can combat misinformation and build trust in public health initiatives.

Promoting inclusion extends beyond healthcare systems to workplaces, educational settings, and community spaces. Addressing issues like vaccine hesitancy, mental health stigma, and chronic disease management requires a shift from one-size-fits-all approaches to tailored solutions that respect and value differences.

To summarise, psychology's intersection with diversity and inclusion is vital for advancing population health and behaviour change. However, achieving meaningful progress requires inclusion in interventions and those who design and implement them. Diverse voices in psychology and public health ensure that solutions are sustainable, innovative, and reflective of the populations they serve. The pandemic has been a profound wake-up call, urging us to create equitable, inclusive, and prepared systems for future challenges.