Covid-19 And Mental Health: The outbreak of COVID has affected not only the physical but also mental health of the people. In particular, hardly anyone is untouched by the scale of the second wave of this epidemic that has caused havoc. Friends, family members, relatives or neighbors, who have survived from getting sick themselves, have suffered due to some or the other. The incessant bad news and painful pictures have shaken people up to the inside.
Dr. Ambarish Dharmadhikari, head and psychiatrist of the organization Mpower The Foundation, which works for people’s mental health, says that people are facing a lot of difficulties due to the epidemic. Sometimes the trouble of falling ill in someone’s family, sometimes the misery of losing someone close. Sometimes there is a possibility of his or her family becoming corona positive and sometimes suffocation due to not getting out of the house. There are many mental challenges that people are facing. According to Dr. Dharmadhikari, the frontline warriors and their families have to live in fear of the disease constantly.
Mental problems increased during the era of epidemic
The study of Organization Your Friend (YourDOST), which provides online support to people suffering from mental troubles, also confirms that there has been a huge increase in the number of people suffering from mental stress during the epidemic. According to Yordost’s CEO Richa Singh, his study done in 2020 shows that during the Corona period, the number of Anxiety i.e. nervousness and restlessness increased by 41 per cent. Complaints of excessive anger also increased by 38 per cent, while the number of lonely feeling increased by about 29 per cent.
Main challenge to maintain mental health during the Corona period
In these circumstances, maintaining physical health and not just mental health is also a big challenge. Problems ranging from nervousness, restlessness to depression, are increasing rapidly. It is not easy to deal with such mental troubles on your own. Especially at a time when the people around are also struggling with the disease. In such a situation, consultation should be done with psychologist, psychologist, who can solve problems through consultation, counseling and if necessary, through drugs. Could get people out of restlessness, nervousness or depression.
But the question is, how easy is it to get medical help to people going through mental troubles in this difficult time when only the patients of Corona are wandering for treatment? Obviously, in the current situation, it seems extremely difficult or even impossible at times. In such times of crisis, the role of online consultation becomes very important.
70% of people are unable to get psychological help even when needed.
Yordost’s CEO Richa Singh says that it is common in our country to feel reluctant to seek psychologist help for mental health. Due to which about 70 percent people are unable to take help of professional psychologist even when needed. But according to Richa Singh, this reluctance of people is reducing due to online help.
According to Richa Singh, people are also taking advantage of online counseling, around which psychological help has not been available till now. She says that 95 percent of the users coming to Yordost’s online platform are those who have got counseling for the first time in their lives. It is evident that a new section is being inspired to take their mental health seriously for the first time through this medium.
The scope of psychological help increased with online consultation
Dr. Ambarish Dharmadhikari believes that due to online consultation, now people coming from the lower socio-economic section of the society are also able to get psychological help. New technology is proving to be very helpful in this. However, during online counseling, many times there are obstacles in mutual communication. For example, when present face to face, the body-language or gesture of the patient also helps in understanding his mental state, while doing so during online consultation is difficult. Nevertheless, Dr. Ambarish believes that as common people and psychologists are getting used to online consultations, such problems are getting reduced.
What to do to avoid mental troubles in Corona period:
Both Richa Singh, CEO of Yordost and Dr. Ambarish Dharmadhikari, head of Empower the Foundation, have given many beneficial tips to avoid mental stress in the current situation. By following these, you can take care of your health.
Psychiatrist Dr. Ambarish Dharmadhikari’s advice:
- Keep in touch with your close friends and loved ones through any secure means.
- Take time for yourself and take full care of your health. Keep in mind, if you will be able to take care of your loved ones only when you are completely healthy.
- Talk openly about your concerns, worries or feelings like fear, nervousness. Believe it is not just you who are feeling like this.
- It is not unique to be stressed too much or to feel the pressure of emotions. If you feel like this then do not hesitate. Whenever needed, take the initiative to get help.
- If you feel the need, you can call our helpline number 1800120520050 and talk to our mental health experts. So far, more than 70 thousand phone calls have been received on the Mpower 1on1 service being run on this number. Therefore you will not be the only person to take such help.
YourDOST CEO Richa Singh’s advice:
- Pay more attention to work life balance i.e. balance between work and personal life. According to Yordost’s study, about 59 percent of Indians have admitted to worsening work-life balance during the epidemic. It is a matter of concern If this imbalance is not resolved in time, then the problem of constant tension and burn-out may arise.
- We should also spend some time every day for our hobbies so that we can refresh our mind.
- Get enough sleep To maintain mental health, it is very important to get enough sleep. According to the Sleep Medicine Division of Harvard Medical School, if the sleep is not complete, then there is an increased risk of problems like nervousness, restlessness and depression. Take 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night.
- Practice mindfulness. Make it part of your everyday life. This will go a long way in keeping you away from stress, anxiety and depression.
- Do not hesitate to talk to a professional and get help. Whenever you feel the need, talk to a professional to get rid of your mental troubles and seek their help.
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