The government has issued a directive that no hospital should deny treatment to people suffering from mental illness due to their Covid positive status.
The state, as of February 5, provided mental health counseling to 17.43 lakh covid-positive patients, with 7,618 receiving counseling on February 5 alone.
The directive speaks about the care of three categories of patients: those who have suffered from the neurobiological effect of the infection, patients who already have a mental illness who contracted the infection and need hospital care, and patients whose mental illness has worsened beyond a incidental finding of Covid.
Currently, only 16 district hospitals and 17 government medical colleges are equipped to treat mental health conditions.
Dr. Rajani Parthasarathy, a psychiatrist and deputy director of mental health at the Department of Health and Family Welfare, said HD that the state, until February 5, treated 26,973 covid patients, advised 9,33,791 passengers in home quarantine, of which 14,085 were treated.
It has also advised 88,836 migrants, of which 1,852 have been assisted. 8,648 doctors and 25,244 health workers have been advised.
“The directive is to make sure that people with mental illnesses, if by the way Covid positive, are taken care of. People with serious mental disorders make up 1% of the population. They can suffer acute phases such as psychosis or mania. Such patients need hospital care. No hospital should turn away care just because you’re covid positive,” he said.
“When you put yourself in institutional quarantine, the response of the person depends on the personality. Some are very anxious, while others are calm. Due to the immune response, in people suffering from depression and other psychiatric disorders, there will be neurochemical disturbances such as serotonin depletion and dopamine disturbances. This is the neurobiological effect of Covid-19.
“The data shows that a few thousand among those counseled have received treatment,” Rajani said.
Those who have received medical treatment may experience some disorders and have panic attacks.
“Some transmit fear, palpitations, chills in the arms and limbs, sleep disorders, lack of appetite and a feeling of hopelessness. Some have suicidal ideas. Such patients have received treatment in addition to counseling. But most manage just fine,” he added.
In hospitals where there are no psychiatrists, a teleconsultation through the e-Sanjeevani platform has been suggested.
“This also applies to private hospitals. If they don’t have knowledge about treating psychiatric disorders, they can be referred to the nearest district hospital,” she said.
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