Next pandemic: Mental ILLNESS

Content – This article discusses rise in mental anxiety and depression during Lockdown and Government measure to reduce panic.

A survey – 61% Indians are experiencing mental illness related issues due to the uncertainty and financial crisis during the lockdown.
Cases of mental illness have risen by 20% since the country went into lockdown.
Negative impact of lockdown is heaviest on poor people, daily wages workers, slums and people out of the mainstream.
Depression, domestic violence, cases of divorce, suicidal are increased in pandemic due to mental illness.

Corona Virus pandemic has caused severe threats to the lives and the mental health of people. In response to the problems posed by the pandemic, various public health strategies such as isolation of infected or at-risk persons, reduction of social contact, and simple hygiene like frequent hand wash, have been advised to reduce the risk of infection. Although isolation helps in achieving the goal of reducing infections, reduced access to family, friends, and other social support systems causes loneliness increasing mental issues like anxiety and depression.

Lockdown may be ending but a new pandemic is emerging. According to a survey by Indian Psychiatry Society, within a week of the start of the lockdown, the number of reported cases of mental illness in India had risen by 20%.India will suffer from a massive mental health crisis due to unemployment, alcohol abuse, economic hardship, domestic violence and indebtedness.

The lockdown applied to three main areas: physical movement out of the home, social distancing when outside the home, and restricted availability of most public services while sparing essential services. There was a sudden and drastic alteration in the daily routine, with many millions stranded in boarding houses and rental apartments, without work and far from home.

Lockdown effects on mental status of –

Students- shutting down of schools after lockdown announcement. As per the present situation, there is uncertainty when schools, colleges will reopen. This is the crucial time for education sector because of entrance exams of universities and competitive exams,this uncertainty has increased mental anxiety among students.
Unemployed people- This pandemic situation has increased burden on unemployed students who were in seek of placements and jobs. Due to high loss in economical conditions of the country, marketinh companies are in loss which leads more to uncertain conditions for hiring students.
Daily wage workers- During this lockdown, industries are also at its financial loss, they are unable to pay their workers which leads them to mental and living distress, anxiety among them.
Old and sick people- senior citizens during this lockdown has been effected a lot. Daily morning and evening walk, away from thier social circle has lead to both health and mental illness among them. People who are dealing with other chronic diseases like cancer, kidney related, etc are suffering in homes due to closure of OPD’s. This causes mental tension for survival in them.

Mental health is a crucial aspect that needs to be addressed during this lock-down as all modes of communication revolve around the virus.

The central government has taken measures in this regard and has ensured the seepage of rules and measures to both state and local administration.

There is a Government controlled website- https://www.mygov.in/covid-19/ provides all the necessary information related to the pandemic. This includes videos and readable material on the infection and the necessary measures to be undertaken.
Also, very essentially, and in relevance to the topic of this article, a toll-free helpline number “+91−80-45110007″ has been launched by the “National Institute of Mental Health and Neuri-Sciences” (NIMHANS), a Bengaluru based premier medical institution.

In conclusion, to overcome the challenges created by the Covid-19 pandemic, what we need more than anything else is our mental health. Let’s take good care of it.