EFFECTS ON PSYCHO-SOCIAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING AFTER COVID-19 CRISIS

Abstract

Within three months of its development, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) brought the entire world to its knees and became a major public health concern. In an attempt to limit the spread, national and international borders are blocked, economies collapse, travel is prohibited, cities are placed under lockdown, and billions of people are quarantined at home. These kinds of pandemics are not just biological occurrences. The epidemic may not persist nearly as long as the ensuing psycho-social effects. Given its sociocultural diversity and large population, India presents particular difficulties when it comes to mental health and wellbeing in these trying times. Among these include the scarcity of resources for public health, the lack of expertise, stigma, and discrimination against mental health. Particularly vulnerable groups include daily wage workers, labourer’s, migrant workers, elderly people, frontline workers, and homeless people seriously injured and defenceless at COVID-19.

Increases and escalation of psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, OCD, insomnia, and post-traumatic stress disorders are among the different mental health issues that might arise. Additionally, the loneliness and isolation of a lockdown can hinder social interaction, spread false information, and result in inappropriate technology use. This essay focuses on the different aspects of mental health while briefly examining the problem statement and ramifications of COVID-19 and the ensuing lockdown in India. The several strategies for maintaining psycho-social well-being in our sociocultural setting during a pandemic are then highlighted.