Mental health and Covid-19 nexus: Insights into present scenario with special reference to India

Pages: 585-588
Kuheli Mukhopadhyay (Department of Economics, Sonamukhi College, Sonamukhi, Bankura)

The novel corona virus (COVID-19) pandemic is not only playing havoc with the physical health of the general population across the globe, but is also impacting the mental health conditions of a large number of individuals worldwide. Quarantine, constant threat of getting contaminated, social distancing, restrictions in people’s usual activities, job loss-all these are triggering the levels of loneliness, depression, anxiety and stress among the masses and thereby deteriorating their mental health status. The problem seems to be distinctly acute in developing countries like India where mental health services are far from being adequateand where only a small section of the affected lot gets the most basic treatment. Various reports, interview extracts of mental health experts, online surveys conducted in India have brought out a grim picture and have revealed a sharp rise in the number of people who are in need of mental health care during this unusual time. Although some initiatives to lend psychological support to those who are in need have been undertaken at the government level to battle the crisis, yet formulation of comprehensive strategies and activities is the need of the hour so as to assimilate mental health facilities and resources into the common pandemic health care system.