- Three medical institutions in Ranchi are all set to conduct a door-to-door mental health survey for Covid survivors.
- Covid survivors are likely to develop some form of mental health issues post-infection.
According to a recent 2021 study, one in every three Covid survivors develops a neurological or psychiatric condition within the six months post-infection.
Ranchi and Central Coalfield Limited (CCL)’s Gandhinagar Hospital, Central Institute of Psychiatry (CIP), and Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (Rims) have taken an initiative to conduct a door-to-door survey in the state capital to assess the mental health condition of Covid survivors and their families.
Their primary aim is to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people’s mental health since its outbreak in March 2020. Officials have also announced that the survey will be funded by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and is expected to start by the first week of December.
One of the principal investigators of the study, Dr. Basudev Das (Director of CIP), shared that they were working on modalities to start the survey as soon as possible, but the approval of the district administration was still pending. It is informed by the hospital authority that two mental health professionals from CCL, CIP, and Rims are expected to take part in this survey and the whole evaluation process, which altogether will take almost six months to complete.
Their previous studies have shown that 20% to 30% of the total Covid survivors had developed some kind of mental illness.“Some of them include post-traumatic disorder, rise in substance addiction, anxiety and cognitive disorders, among others,” Dr. Das mentioned. It was also found that Covid survivors who had a history of mental illness and were treated by therapy and medication, suffered a relapse. The organizations are aiming to use the survey data to examine the pre and post-pandemic impact on a Covid survivor’s mental health and provide support for the same.
According to the Mental health foundation, staying in touch with their close ones via social media is the most effective way to avoid loneliness during pandemics. Additionally, regular physical exercise, a healthy diet, and mindfulness practice can help a Covid survivor to manage their psychological distress. One should consult with a therapist if they find it difficult to manage their mental health problems.
References:
- THE LANCET Psychiatry 1 Taquet M, Geddes JR, Husain M, Luciano S, Harrison PJ. 6-month neurological and psychiatric outcomes in 236 379 survivors of COVID-19: a retrospective cohort study using electronic health records. Lancet Psychiatry. 2021 May;8(5):416-427. doi: 10.1016/S2215-0366(21)00084-5. Epub 2021 Apr 6. PMID: 33836148; PMCID: PMC8023694.
- Mental Health Foundation
