COVID-19 sees rise in mental health problems in Kerala

Nearly 2,000 out-patient teleconsultations have been conducted since last year under eSanjeevani as patients are unable to see psychiatrists due to lockdown

After the loss of an immediate family member to COVID-19, a woman who had been treated earlier for mental health problems became very stressed and was having suicidal thoughts. As the first priority was to get her to stop contemplating suicide, the psychiatrist who got in touch with her let her ventilate. He listened to her, and tried to instil hope by getting her to think positive. In another instance, a woman looking after two COVID-19 positive members of her family, one of whom had mental and physical health issues, on her own, for days on end, ended up completely stressed. Then, she too tested positive. Without rest or proper food, her physical health suffered. She couldn’t sleep, was disoriented, and experienced mood alterations, and had to be put on medication.