Pandemic affects mental health of children, old aged people: Psychiatrist

Srinagar: A Psychiatrist on Wednesday said COVID-19 pandemic has affected mental health of the people due to isolation, restriction on movement, social gathering and idleness.

This, he said has barred people to have normal social interaction and outdoor activities.

Dr Junaid Nabi, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Government Medical College, Srinagar said another reason which has affected mental health is fear, stigma and isolation period of COVID-19 positive patients.

"The fear of catching infection and the later repercussions has taken maximum toll on sound minds," said the Psychiatrist and added that it is essential to overcome the fear psychosis with a positive mind that 'the pandemic phase is temporary and this shall pass too'.

Besides, he said the stigma attached to COVID-19 infection has also affected the mental health of patients. "Some people don't come to help infected patients, instead they run away from them, this behaviour is absolutely wrong," he said and called for compassionate attitude towards patients to help them out of the disease.

Moreover, he said children and old aged people constitute two susceptible age groups who have been silently affected by pandemic and it has also impacted their mental health. "As children haven't been to school for one and half year now due to pandemic lockdown, they were not able to interact, play and express themselves with friends and classmates," he said, adding that due to this isolation children tend to develop stress and anxiety, which parents need to take care of so that children don't feel lonely.

"Parents need to engage their wards in various hobbies and creativity, besides working parents should capitalize this period to spend most of the time with children by involving them in physical and mental activities that would be beneficial for both parents and children." he advised.

Regarding old aged people, the psychiatrist said that they are vulnerable as well as easy target of virus and have been distressed with the pandemic. "This age group also needs to be taken care of very well," he said.

He said it is the responsibility of younger members in a family to share valuable time with them and interact more and more with them to keep them in high spirits.

Further, he said that SOPs should be followed properly and in a standard way and stressed on the idea that following SOPs doesn't mean to make your life miserable. (UNI)