Documentary-style film examines the emotional impact of COVID-19 and quarantine

PARSIPPANY, N.J. - July 11, 2020 - PRLog -- According to the Well Being Trust, an additional 75,000 people could die of suicide and substance abuse due to what they call "coronavirus despair."

In his just-completed documentary, "LOCKDOWN: The Emotional Impact of COVID-19 and Quarantine," Parsippany, NJ, filmmaker Bob Messinger tackles the short- and long-term psychological consequences of the pandemic and resulting shelter-in-place orders.

Already accepted to screen at two international film festivals, the film includes interviews with noted mental health professionals as well as a host of people weathering the crisis.

Messinger says that the emotional impact on individuals and families is an exceptionally under-reported aspect of the pandemic.

"Fear that you or a family member could catch the virus is just one of the common pandemic stressors," he notes. "Isolation, loneliness, grief, disruption in medical services, financial loss, stigmatization and confusion about the disease are among other stressors that could lead to widespread psychological aftershocks, including PTSD symptoms."

Backed by an abundance of documented research and interviews with psychologists, professors and social workers, the film explores the categories of people who are most apt to be affected emotionally by the pandemic and quarantine. Not only does the film chronicle the anticipated emotional effects of the crisis, but it also provides professional recommendations on how to handle the resulting anxiety.

Demonstrating that the emotional consequences of a pandemic and quarantine are nothing new, the film also explores the psychological effects of pandemics as far back at 1348.

Messinger wrote, produced and edited the film completely in quarantine, conducting interviews over Zoom.

"LOCKDOWN: The Emotional Impact of COVID-19 and Quarantine" is scheduled to screen in Las Vegas at the NewsFest International Film Festival and at the Conquering Disabilities with Film International Film Festival, September 2-6, 2020.