Webinar – Is the World Experiencing Dual Pandemics: COVID and Mental Health? Let's talk Positive

2023 Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development  
In partnership with the Poornima University, the Jodhpur School of Public Health conducted a participatory and live webinar on "Is the world experiencing dual pandemics-COVID and Mental Health? Let's talk positive." On 15 th May 2021. Dr. Naresh Nebhinani Additional Professor, Department of Psychiatry AIIMS Jodhpur was the distinguished speaker, who along with Poornima University co-founder Mr. Rahul Singhi and other panellists from Jodhpur School of Public health addressed the topic. Findings:
more » ... The COVID-19 pandemic and the shattering economy have resulted in a detrimental impact on many people's mental health around the globe. It has created new barriers among children, health workers, and elderly along with those who already suffer from mental illness. Every third person who was infected by COVID has shown some signs of mental health issues in one form or the other and prevalence of such disorders have increased by 35% in COVID. The role of behavioural changes towards mental health issues, along with positive attitude, better coping mechanisms, positive lifestyle changes including healthy living, sobriety, healthy eating, regular physical exercise, relaxation, spiritual practice, connectedness with family and close associates, balanced use of gadgets, proper sleep etc result in better outcomes and indicators of mental health resulting due to COVID 19 impacts could be controlled. Conclusion: While the health-care system fights to rescue millions of lives on a daily basis, there is a significant risk of a looming pandemic of hidden mental health conditions that might devastate the present mental-health infrastructure. We need inter-disciplinary support of various sectors to execute the plan for people's participation to talk about mental health issues. With specialized psychological interventions and multi-stakeholder collaboration, we can easily curb mental health issues and have a positive outlook in life thereby establishing a balance despite external situations.
doi:10.37506/ijphrd.v14i1.18781 fatcat:eijyb7glnfccvaqnr3juxqxov4