Panic, post-Covid depression a concern: Experts

SANKHA GHOSH, SNS, SILIGURI.13 MAY 21: The second wave of the cornavirus has amplified panic, uncertainty and depression among people, mental health professionals have said.

The experts have been studying the effects of Covid19 on people and have fun her said that all these could lead to domestic violence.

"Many people who had been infected with the virus and have recovered now are worried about post-Covid complications. They are concerned whether their body organs am alright. Another section of the people, who are yet to contract the virus, are also in panic as they remain in fear, as they fear infection even if they develop some common symptoms," mental health activist and counselor, Moukana Mukherjee, said today.

Ms Mukherjee, who has been in this profession for nearly three decades, said the situation may lead to a rise in domestic violence.

"Financial deprivation, depression and behavioural changes may trigger more domestic violence. That is why anger management is required. I feel one day Covid19 will be managed, but the rising mental distress will become a major issue," she added. Ms Mukherjee and psychiatric social worker Vaishali Roy are attending to people's concerns through a tele- counselling service started at the initiative of the Siliguri Welfare Organisation a few days ago.

"The pandemic is stretching and it is taking a toll on the children and students. They are forced to stay indoors for the second year in a row. Their normal activities have been halted, and they are missing out on school life. They are unable to go to parks and open fields. They are engaged with online classes," Ms Roy said.

According to her, people of different ages were subject to depression and anxiety.

"We are receiving calls from people where they express their worries. Many people are facing retrenchment, and are having problems in getting treatment. There should be physical distance at this moment, but not mental distance," Ms Roy said.

Some mental health activists underlined that another "most unfortunate" response in society with respect to the pandemic has been social ostracism, segregation, and the stigma attached to the disease. According to the working president of the Siliguri Welfare Organisation, Abhijit Majumder, they feel that the cost of the virus was not limited to death only, but also on mental health.

"There are people confined in houses, and many are under home isolation, and their caregivers and family members have been mentally affected due to reasons like misinformation and fear of stigma. We introduced the tele-counselling service with a view to addressing those issues," Mr Majumder said.