How Covid worsened mental health crisis in India | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: India is slowly but surely emerging from the dark shadows of Covid pandemic that interrupted our lives like never before.
Life is limping back to pre-Covid normalcy. The restrictions are about to disappear. Markets, offices, restaurants, public places are opening up a lot to everyone’s relief.
But there are certain hidden impacts of the pandemic that will take a long time to heal.
Mental health it is one of those issues whose implications have not yet been fully assessed. Some may not be aware of it, some may be aware but won’t want to acknowledge it, and some may acknowledge but be unwilling to talk about it.
The fear of the virus, the trauma of isolation and the horror of the deaths have taken a heavy toll on our mental health.
The period of helplessness and hopelessness will be etched in our memory for a long time.
For almost two years, people lived with anxiety.
The pandemic has exacerbated mental health problems in people of all ages around the world.
The stigma associated with mental health problems makes the situation in India even more alarming.
Experts feel that the problem has not been adequately addressed in India.
“Mental illness is still poorly understood, inadequately addressed and needs a community-wide approach to address the spectrum from mental health to severe mental disorders,” said Pratima Murthy, director of Nimhans.
However, they believe that one should immediately contact family, social support, and the doctor if one feels unwell.
It has disrupted the routine of life and caused massive changes that have resulted in severe psychological responses and mental health crises.
People trying to get out of the phase need special care and treatment.
“One of the best ways to build back India better is to restore the cultural fabric, organizational framework and individual mindset around mental health. To achieve this, multisectoral action and public-private partnerships are key,” says Dr. Nalini Saligram, founder. and CEO, Arogya World.
According to the 2015-16 National Mental Health Survey, nearly 15% of adults in India require treatment for one or more mental health disorders.
The survey also states that 1 in 20 people is depressed and 1 in 40 has experienced depression in the past.
The resulting pandemic has made the situation worse.

Numerous studies on the impact of COVID-19 on mental health have been carried out.
According to a study published in the medical journal The Lancet in October, women and young people were the most affected by mental health disorders during the pandemic.

It suggests that an additional 53 million cases of major depressive disorder and 76 million cases of anxiety disorders were due to the pandemic.
According to the World Health Organization (WHOSE), the pandemic has taken a terrible toll on mental health, indicating that cases of anxiety and depression have increased by more than 25 percent globally.
The WHO also found that in many cases, the COVID-19 crisis had significantly impeded access to mental health services and raised concerns about rising suicidal behaviour.
Stigma around mental health
The stigma associated with people with mental illness has been an obstacle in the efforts of individuals or organizations to promote mental health in general. Despite several notable celebrities coming out openly, mental health has been largely ignored.
The pandemic has added to the growing number of people experiencing declining mental health.
A 28-year-old working professional shares how she lost her mother to the pandemic and it affected her mental health.
“I lost my mother due to covid during the first wave and after that, it affected my mental health a lot. I started having nervous breakdowns and panic attacks. I had to undergo therapy to treat anxiety and depression,” he said. she said she.

Government action to address mental health
In the Union Budget 2022-23, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the creation of a national telemental health programme, which will see the launch of 23 telemental health centers.
The National Tele Mental Health Program is a welcome step toward mainstreaming mental wellness and ensures ubiquitous accessibility of services.
The move indicates the government’s willingness to tackle tough problems with meaningful action.
“The Government of India’s telemental health initiative is therefore a welcome step in making services available to people of all languages, socio-economic strata and background. It can reach underserved and hard-to-reach populations,” said Dr. Pratima Murthy. , Principal, Nimhans.
Building on the boost provided by the government in its recent budget and working with other actors to address mental health is essential. It really is a matter of will and cost, says Dr. Nalini.

Treatment

Many people are opting for therapy sessions, but somehow there are still some sections for which it is still inaccessible.
Experts believe that if the therapy remains expensive and out of reach, there will be no positive results.
The provision of quality therapy at affordable prices, accessible anywhere and at any time, will be able to create a domino effect, experts say.
“By bringing the mental health dialogue into mainstream discussion, we will not only remove the stigma associated with it, but more importantly, we will lay a strong foundation for a healthier and stronger life,” said Dr. Nalini Saligram.
India needs everyone, including 300 million youth, to become productive professionals and contribute to society to the best of their potential, building and strengthening the foundation of our country, he added.
“India is a world leader in frugal innovations in mental health care through the deployment of non-specialist providers and this knowledge is poised to translate into the workplace,” said Dr. Vikram Patel, professor at the School of Medicine. from Harvard.
Looking ahead, all is not as bleak as it seems, given measures by the government and other institutions, there is still hope for improved well-being and survival.