COVID-19 stigma taking huge mental health toll, says psychologist

In an exclusive interview with ETV Bharat's reporter Chandrakala Choudhury, Clinical psychologist Dr RK Suri explained how the coronavirus lockdown is negatively impacting the population. Dr Suri also emphasized on the four Ps to stay healthy: Purpose, Passion, Perseverance and Positive.

New Delhi:The COVID-19 pandemic leading to extended lockdown has already taken a toll on people's mental health in India and other countries of the world with social distancing or physical distance, self-isolation and quarantining being the order of the day.

Experts say while there is an increase in mental health issues due to loneliness, depression, fear and anxiety, the stigma attached to COVID-19 is also a key factor.

In an exclusive interview with ETV Bharat, Dr RK Suri, clinical psychologist and counselor, said, “Action needs to be taken at different levels in different categories—at the individual level, at the family level and then at the society or national level.”

“At the individual level, morbidity can be more for those people who have a strong predisposition to anxiety, stress and depression. They are facing difficulty in coping at this time of crisis while managing day to day functioning. One who doesn't have a good coping strategy since childhood and there has been some genetic history of psychological issues in the family and are living in the same environment where there is stress at home are the ones facing the toughest challenge.”

“Having psychological issues is not taboo. Confinement is putting pressure on already strained family relationships but after the lockdown, there would be an increase in the stigma attached to COVID-19 which will lead to mental trauma. This will have an impact for another 8-10 months,” Dr Suri adds.

“Currently, during the lockdown, we (at the counseling centre) are receiving 500 patients per day with various psychological issues including anxiety, stress, family issues, phobia, OCD, loss in business, relationship issues on our mental health portal from all across the country and even abroad. We provide cognitive behavioural therapy which helps them manage emotions and eradicate negative emotions which are highly contagious,” told Dr Suri.

“Moreover, those who are already having certain disorders for morbidity and are already on medication for depression, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar, phobia etc are the most affected during the COVID-19 pandemic.

With eventualities like job and business loss, the financial outlook looks very gloomy to these people which add to their depression. Their defence mechanism is already very weak. However, it is very important to involve the individual in activities, maintaining the same routine as before, but staying at home. Family support and connectivity is an important element that can be useful to resolve the issue,” he points out.

“Mental health has not only impacted India but globally too. This lockdown also impacts the working style and pattern of an individual. The economic downturn will also affect mental health phenomenally which will lead to fear-mongering in people's mind this will result in an increase in marital discord and crime rate etc. Health is not merely an absence of physical disease but complete physical, socio-economic health, psychological health and individual well-being.

And to mitigate this, Dr Suri underlines the importance of maintaining the same activity, proper hygiene, pursuing day-to-day hobbies, activities and one-to-one dialogue, and talking to positive people.

Dr Suri emphasizes on the four Ps to keep healthy: Purpose, Passion, Perseverance and Positive.