-SATISH HANDA

World Health Organization (WHO) study reveals, between 15 to 20% increase in mental tension cases were observed after spread of COVID-19, especially after the second wave of disease. Past scenario reveals, corona virus spread globally during early 2020, leading the World Health Organization to declare an international public health emergency on 30th January 2020 and a pandemic on 11th March 2020. Its highly infectious nature and the effect on individuals and health services caused many countries to initiate physical and social distancing measures and close non-essential businesses and services. On 16th March 2020, people in affected countries were advised against all unnecessary social contact which included avoiding pubs, clubs, Jims, cinemas and restaurants. After a week on 23rd March 2020 or nearby ‘lockdown’ was announced in many affected countries including India and regulations specified that people should not leave home except for medical needs, essential shopping or an emergency when gatherings were prohibited in most of the countries.

Information reveals, COVID-19 attack in the country adversely affected economic condition in the country, followed by its second wave during current year not only affected lifestyle of each and every person but also claimed large number of lives due to shortage of oxygen and medicines required for the treatment of disease serious side effects. WHO information reveals between 15 to 20% increase in patients suffering from depression and mental tension has been recorded in our country after this epidemic outbreak.

Corona positive cases were reported in India in the last week of March 2020 and disease started spreading fast in the month April 2020. The second wave of COVID-19 in our country in the month January 2021 was swear as compared to the first wave in which large number of patients also lost lives and many seen suffering from depression or mental tension. According to American Psychatric Association, depression is a common but serious mental problems creating negative thoughts in the mind and prior to spread of COVID-19 more than 26 crore people were suffering from depression in the world and were affected by the disease. Research further proved, corona infection witnessed further increase in the number of patients suffering from mental tension. It is a matter of concern, there are less awareness programmes for depression and mental tension in our country as compared to other democratic western countries.

Past scenario reveals, since after COVID-19 spread in our country, large number of corona patients committed suicide and even large number of them admitted in the hospitals committed suicide by jumping from upper floor in the hospitals or jumping before trains  or hanging themselves due to depression or mental tension and fear of disease all over in the country. Information reveals, out of total number of suicides reported in the country nearly 90% were suffering from mental tension.