The Twin Epidemics

Coronavirus & Mental health.

Have you ever felt lonely ? Have you gone through that depression after a temporary debacle? Death of a relative or a loss in your business.

WHO estimates that the incidence of Depression is 7.6%. That means, In any WhatsApp group of 240, at the least 18 of us are depressed right at this moment. If we count our families in, that swells to 50.

What is the routine advice for such depression ?

JUST DON’T STAY INDOORS.

…

You must go outside and mix with others, play a social game, go visit your friends and family, go to a good movie etc etc. And yes, stop looking at your mobile all the time. That will increase your depression.

Kids must sweat it around a good game of soccer.
“At least, Don’t stay indoors.”
That is the standard advice for depression.

This virus has cut down every option for releasing our anxiety and depression.

You cannot go to your religious gathering or relax in a big party. No more mixing and sitting with people. No more hugging your relatives.

There is an all pervasive yet invisible fear lurking in the back of your mind and tormenting you.

This fear is an invisible virus that has gone into the psyche of 7 billion people on the earth. It is the agent that doesn’t allow them to be their normal outgoing self.

We already have enough reasons for depression around. To add to them, TVs monotonously read out only two numbers:

• the number of infections relentlessly increasing like a cricket score card and
• the performance of world economies tumbling like wickets on a turning track.

In the heats of May, you can not go out even after 7 pm to enjoy a cool summer breeze. And what is there to go out for ?

Parks are closed, Temples and mosques are closed. Hotels have downed their shutters. The friendly tea shop round the corner is closed. No betel shop around for that one peaceful cigarette. The Gupchupwalla and the Momo counters are closed. Barbers and florists, where have they gone ? Who needs flowers anyway ?

Doctors are not available. Dental, ENT, Skin doctors have stopped seeing patients.
Psychiatrist have closed shop.

– Domestic helps are jobless.

– Beggary has increased.

No wonder, the moment this Lockdown will be over, another Epidemic of mental health will be waiting for us.