As the Covid-19 wave sweeps across the country, mental health experts say the pandemic has triggered panic attacks among those who tested positive for the virus, causing bouts of depression and even driving some to the brink of suicide.
According to experts, nervousness, fear of contamination, panic attacks, constant reassurance seeking behaviour, sleep disturbance, excessive worry, feelings of helplessness and probability of an economic slowdown are the major factors leading to depression and anxiety among the people.
Potential job losses, financial burden, uncertainty about the future and fears of running out of food and necessities add to the worries.
Online platforms too have seen a growing number of people seeking help for mental health issues, ranging from anxiety and loneliness to concerns over productivity and job loss since the outbreak of Covid-19.
Towards April-end about 3,632 calls were received and psychiatric counselling was provided to 2,603 callers, Dr R Purna Chandrika, director of Institute of Mental Health, Chennai, said.
"We have dedicated services at our centres in the districts and the calls meant for government medical college hospitals are routed to the respective institutions," she said.
Due to heavy virus caseloads, making this city the major contributor to the state's tally, the Greater Chennai Corporation too started a free helpline to help residents cope up with stress during the pandemic.
"From the psychological perspective, we don't find a single human being who is not feeling some degree of stress or anxiety due to coronavirus. The intensity and impact varies from person to person," said Lt Col NT Rajan, director of Chennai-based Mastermind Foundation. The organisation is involved in free counselling throughout India ever since the first case of the deadly virus was reported in the country.
"Further worsening of depression may lead to severe mental health issues and suicidal tendencies," said Dr S Senthil Kumar, a psychiatrist. However, not all of them require medicines, he added.
"The situation is serious. There should be counselling at three stages--on coping with the virus, how to face it if tested positive and how to face life once treated and discharged from the hospital," Rajan said.
Awareness was of paramount importance, he said and warned the pandemic could cause panic attacks while in hospital or drive them to the brink of suicide.
Tamil Nadu, one of the worst affected states with a virus count in excess of 74,000 as of Friday, has witnessed a few instances of suicides allegedly related to Covid-19.
(Source: PTI)
