As someone whose family has been affected by the virus in New Delhi, India, the pandemic has been nothing short of traumatizing, even by extension. The guilt creeps up on me very often, mostly due to the fact that I remain safely sheltered in Dubai while my family in India is exposed to the virus. Every morning, I wake up hoping that all of my family members come out of this crisis unscathed.
Mental Health
Culturally, mental health problems in India are often overlooked. However, the pandemic and the uncertainty surrounding it has sparked new dialogue around this elusive topic since everyone, regardless of age, occupation, or social status, has been affected.
Sometimes it can be hard to notice how #coronavirus is impacting on our #mentalhealth.
This lovely illustration from #thepsychologymum shows just some of the ways.
You might wonder how our service can help, but we can. Try us.
1/4 pic.twitter.com/RqGpeagRJp— Health in Mind – NHS mental health (@HiMEastSussex) June 3, 2021
Senior citizens face particular fear and anxiety. I felt this in conversation with my grandparents and their friends. They specifically mentioned sleep disturbances, loneliness from isolation, and fatigue. Younger folks, who have lost their jobs and livelihoods as a result of the employment scarcity and rescinding of job offers have also been affected mentally. Small businesses have been shut down with no external governmental support. This makes me uneasy as a young woman looking to enter the job market. It also makes me anxious for the youth who are currently in India, freshly seeking out a career.
My cousin faced a similar dilemma wherein her in-person studies have been put on hold. Unfortunately, her classses switched to remote learning and she and her counterparts have suffered from academic burnout and anxiety. In comparison to how rapidly the model of learning has changed in Dubai, I almost feel like it puts students in India at a detriment.
Lastly, another group whose mental health has suffered significantly in the face of the pandemic is frontline workers who have been unable to cope with the helplessness of working during the pandemic. Both my aunts work in a COVID hospital. They are extremely torn-up seeing the casualties increase day after day. My heart goes out to the young women and men who started their medical careers in the thick of such a heightened crisis, which is bound to take an emotional toll.
Going forward
Ultimately, India’s fight against COVID requires serious, sustained efforts by the various stakeholders in society, ranging from health professionals to policymakers. More action in regards to mental health services need to be taken. Support, in the form of telemedicine, should be provided to increase its accessibility to the general public. Mental well-being needs to be made democratized rather than made a privilege only for a select few.
For more information or access to affordable mental health resources, go to Therapize India’s Instagram which lists therapists offering therapy below INR 1000 (Dhs50).