Depression dangerous than COVID-19: Samujjal Bhattacharjya

GUWAHATI: Chief Advisor of All Assam Students' Union Dr. Samujjal Bhattacharjya has drawn attention of the Office of the Prime Minister of India to the issue of mental depression in view of the COVID -19 pandemic. He said mental depression is proving to be more dangerous than coronavirus.

"The COVID-19 fallout has led to mental health repercussion amongst certain sections of youths. A spectrum of triggers such as unemployment, inability to pay fees and rent, inaccessibility to smart phones and data packs, recurring data glitches, uncertainty over exams, etc has caused distress and increase ion suicide attempts among youth," Dr. Bhattacharjya told The Sentinel on Friday.

Exhorting the Centre as State Government to frame policies for overall mental, social and physical well-being of youngsters, Dr. Bhattacharjya said provision of accessible mental services such as therapy, counselling etc alongside helpline numbers and other support programme must be made available in the society.

"Mental health services related expenses must fall under the purview of insurance coverage. Parents, teachers and other family members must provide a healthy environment that enables expression of mind and thought," Dr. Bhattacharjya said.

Dr. Bhattacharjya who is an adviser of North East Students' Organization (NESO) & an influential personality in the country, has also raised the issue of mental depression in his twitter account with an aim to draw attention of the Prime Minister Office.

"Let us spread Mental Health awareness, fight the stigma around it and overcome the crisis unitedly," Dr. Bhattacharjya tweeted. He also drew attention of the Chief Minister Office (Assam) and Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

Dr. Bhattacharjya's statement has come at a time when long stay at home and fear of COVID -19 is escalating nervousness, depression and uncertainty among many people. Not just those with pre-existing conditions like anxiety, depression and OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), but also the elderly who are struggling with new levels of loneliness and helplessness.

A city-based psychiatrist said that a good number of young and middle-aged people are calling him complaining about extreme boredom and anxiety as they have to keep themselves indoors for quite a long time.

He also said that some elderly couples whose children are living outside Assam, are also seeking help on how they to maintain mental and physical wellbeing during the lockdown period. "I have also received calls from certain individuals who are alcoholics and addicts. Some of them are suffering from unknown fear, frustrations, lack of appetite and body shaking," the psychiatrist said.

A survey conducted by the State Health department under its mental health support programme called 'Monon' for COVID-19 patients has found that while 97 per cent of the patients suffer from sleeplessness, 22 per cent of them are having mental anxiety due to fear losing jobs. About 11 per cent patients are suffering from frustration as they are uncertain about their future financial status due to the ongoing COVID-driven lockdown and their virus infection.

Also watch: The Road That Leads to Assam BJP HQ A Shame