The Centre has issued guidelines stating that Covid-19 facilities should have a provision for psychiatric consultation, noting the pandemic has induced mental health concerns, both pre-existing and new onset triggered by lifestyle restrictions and an uncertain future.
The Union Health Ministry on Sunday issued ‘Guidelines on Managing Mental Illness in Hospital Settings during Covid-19’ stating there are at least three groups affected by mental health concerns during the pandemic.
Research suggests that depression (present in about 30 per cent of diagnosed patients) and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (almost everybody diagnosed with Covid-19 –96 per cent) could be extremely high.
Secondly, pre-existent patients with psychiatric disorders may experience a recurrence or worsening of their symptoms during the pandemic.
Thirdly, a wide variety of psychiatric…