“It is evident that the pandemic, besides leading to severe morbidity and mortality, has serious emotional, social and economic consequences” says Dr. Kallivayalil.
Glad to read my brother Dr. Roy Abraham Kallivayalil MD, DPM- Secretary General of the Geneva based World Psychiatric Association (WPA) interview in today’s The Hindu newspaper. –
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/covid-19-taking-its-toll-on-mental-health/article32154987.eceTalking to The Hindu, Dr. Kallivayalil says the most common emotion by all was fear that makes people anxious, scared, and do things what society considers abnormal and inappropriate.
He says COVID-19 has serious consequences on both physical and mental health of people.Dr Kallivayalil said the Chief Minister of Kerala has appointed a committee led by a Director General Police to study suicides in children.Though it was a welcome move, it should have been headed by a mental health professional as it was not primarily a law and order problem, he added.“It is evident that the pandemic, besides leading to severe morbidity and mortality, has serious emotional, social and economic consequences which could worsen further at a later stage,” says Dr. Kallivayalil.
Preventable“Depression, anxiety disorders, stress reactions, suicides, adjustment disorders, alcohol and substance abuse, and acute psychotic disorders are various post-Covid mental problems reported from many affected countries. However, most of these mental disorders are preventable,” he says.
He says the challenges posed by the pandemic are severe as it affects the physical and mental health of people, their finances and social life. Worries about an uncertain future and loss of employment are only some aspects that impact the mental well-being, ultimately leading to an unprecedented post-Covid suicide rate, he says.
