The coronavirus pandemic is rapidly evolving, affecting the world and changing its economy drastically. It is now inducing an elevated rate of stress or anxiety in the population. A wave of fear and anxiety may hit soon, causing an emotional breakdown in adults and children. Presently, mental illness is an issue of concern in European countries. According to WHO, depression and self-harm are expected to rise. In a recent survey conducted by the Indian Psychiatry Society, there has been a sudden spike in the number of cases of mental illness. Besides, it also has been found that one out of every five Indians is experiencing psychiatric problems. Mental health problems can occur as physical or cognitive, where the former include headaches or stomachaches and the later as having trouble concentrating.
Apart from the fear of getting the disease, a complete change in our daily lives, restricted movements, temporary unemployment, home-schooling of children, and lack of physical contact with the beloved ones, friends and colleagues is enough to push someone into depression. The fact that many of our regular activities will never be same or available to us. The lockdown has caused a fearmongering situation in people’s lives about losing their businesses, jobs, earnings or savings. Nearly four out of five people, which is equivalent to 195 million workers worldwide has had lost their jobs. The pandemic has bought an immense change in the lifestyle of people.
According to a recent study published in ‘The Lancet Psychiatry’, one in every four people who contract the disease COVID-19, may experience mental confusion and emotional disruption during their illness, which can increase the risk of death or extend their time in hospital. The finding was based on 65 peer-reviewed studies and includes data from over 3,500 people. Over 15 per cent of the patient has experienced chronic fatigue, mood swings, sleep disorder or impaired concentration.
In response, WHO, together with partners to develop a set of new materials on the mental health problems to provide guidance and psychosocial support during COVID-19. Probably the massive spike of mental health issues may be just another rising graph, which may have detrimental consequences in future.