THE lockdown in the last six weeks has resulted in the drop of cases of COVID-19 in the district, but at the same time it is also seeing an increase in the people complaining of mental health. Apart from COVID-19 recovered patients, others are also feeling the stress and at present, the district is seeing a rise in various mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, stress disorder and trauma caused by this dangerous virus. Dr Prashant Tiwari, a well-known psychiatrist and expert in Drug Rehabilitation said that as per a survey, over 61 percent population of urban parts in Chhattisgarh are under mental stress.

 

“While we are trying to contain the novel coronavirus, we have to be prepared to deal with new syndromes caused by the COVID-19. Handling of such mental health cases may continue for the next few years even after vaccination is completed,” said Dr Prashant Tiwari. “We have to think both in terms of short-term as well as long-term solutions,” he said, adding that it would be crucial to train doctors and associated staff to face the new challenge. He said that many people who recovered from coronavirus and also normal people are coming to hospitals complaining of mental health issues due to the impact of COVID-19.

 

“There are people who have lost family members to the virus. Also, there are those who had near-death experiences and were admitted to ICU, but even after their recovery they now have severe bouts of trauma,” Dr Tiwari said. Because of so many deaths reported from this virus, normal people are also living their life in fear and tension. In this situation, they should avoid social media and also news channels deaths from COVID-19 are being circulated and featured in random manner. All family members should play indoor games such as ludo, chess and others and keep themselves away from mobile, laptops and computers. They should call their dear ones and chat with them on various topics as well as past memories instead of coronavirus. Dr Tiwari asserted that people should think and lead their life in a positive way and do those things, which bring happiness to them like watching comedy movies, television shows and eat nutritional diet.