In April, a research paper in the renowned medical journal, The Lancet said every third Covid-19 survior in the United States developed a neurological or psychiatric condition within six months of the infection. Among the 2.4% lakh patients studied, anxiety (17%) and mood disorders (14%) were most common. The pandemic-mental health link is not restricted to Covid-19 alone. It has been scientifically chronicled during previous pandemics as well. For instance, neuro-psychiatrist Dr Rajesh Parikh from Jaslok Hospital Mumbai who has written a book on the Covid-19 pandemic, has pointed out that sleep disorders affected 100% of the survivors of Severe Acute Respiratory Sundrome and Middle East Respiratory Sundrome. Memocry impairment was seen in about a fifth of the patients while 10% had depression, he had said. While it is presumed that 10% of Indians sufer from some mental ailment, doctors believe Covid-19 has worsened the stress levels across society. Dr Harish Shetty, a member of the Maharashtra government's task force, puts it. "The invisibility of the virus and the impact phase across 15 months will multiply the mental health consequences. People to begin small Doing small things inside our homes, such as folding clothes cleaning our desk, praying listening to our kids stories sharing our childhood stories. People should take up pursuits such as yoga, Vipassana or regular exercising. "A good night's sleep also helps to clam fears, he said. However, he agreed that these methods of distraction alone cannot help. One needs to identify, acknowledge, accept, experience and exhaust the feelings of doomsday. Let the feelings of fear and despair travel through the valleys and the mountains of the mental landscape. As we watch them they become weaker and less harmful.
