Doctors, frontline workers, emergency services workers and the general public are facing a tough time due to the ongoing pandemic. Mental health is being challenged. Therefore mental health professionals have generously introduced various helplines across India to with an aim to guide and counsel people who are emotionally distressed. These services are a boon. Hope people will make the best use of them to resolve mental health issues.
Dr. Nirmala Rao, Psychiatrist, Director: Aavishkar Centre for Self Enrichment, who has started one such helpline, says, “Our frontline-workers have been at war-footing treating patients, for over 400 days, regularly seeing cure as well as loss and tragedy unfold before them. Working tirelessly and selflessly is not easy. It has its risk of stress issues, spillover into personal well-being and extreme exhaustion and burnout. This helpline is a way to provide them with an option of choosing counselling to help them deal with this breakdown or what is also called ‘compassion-fatigue’. It is a pro-bono service for frontline-workers, and a way to help them in my capacity and also express my undying gratitude for their noble service.”Our frontline-workers have been at war-footing treating patients for over 400 days, regularly seeing cure as well as loss and tragedy unfold before them. Working tirelessly and selflessly is not easy. It has its risk of stress issues, spillover into personal well-being and extreme exhaustion and burnout. This helpline is a way to provide them with an option of choosing counselling to help them deal with this breakdown or what is also called compassion.
Dr. Kshipra Vora, Clinical Psychologist and Academician, says, Our frontline-workers have been at war-footing treating patients for over 400 days, regularly seeing cure as well as loss and tragedy unfold before them. Working tirelessly and selflessly is not easy. It has its risk of stress issues, spillover into personal well-being and extreme exhaustion and burnout. This helpline is a way to provide them with an option of choosing counselling to help them deal with this breakdown or what is also called ‘compassion-fatigue’. It is a pro-bono service for frontline-workers, and a way to help them in my capacity and also express my undying gratefulness for their noble service.
Kiran Makhijani, Founder Psychologist, Mind Mechanics Management, says, “I started the helpline to provide a personalized and focused approach through the services we offer at Mind Mechanics Management. We aim to not only provide short term help/relief but also long term counselling services at subsidised or no costs for those in need. We follow a systemised approach and ensure that the caller is supported and connected to a professional best suited for his/ her concerns. Along with we also have Queer affirmative therapists onboard. Our team of experienced professionals are available all week.
Usha Rao Konakalla, a recruitment consultant and a counselling Psychologist is a volunteer for Dr. Nirmala Rao’s helpline. She says, “I joined this initiative as I have personally experienced a lot of tussle due to the second wave. When I got this opportunity to help those who are serving in the front and helping us fight the virus, I felt this is a great way to pay back and also a responsibility as a citizen. I really feel this is a great opportunity to help those people who’ve been caring for us non stop for an entire year tirelessly.
Dr. Rajiv Kovil, Dr Kovils Diabetes Care Centres, says, The pandemic has exposed the psychological framework of all health care workers. Never before have we been exposed to so much morbidity and mortality over a prolonged period in close friends, relatives and patients. It will have a huge impact on our thought process. These unique efforts to take care of the mental health of Health care workers will go a long way. Stress wreaks havoc on your emotional equilibrium, as well as your physical health. It narrows your ability to think clearly, function effectively, and enjoy life. It may seem like there’s nothing you can do about stress. Effective stress management helps you break the hold stress has on your life, so you can be happier, healthier, and more productive. I hope a lot of us take advantage of this and prevent us from emotional burn out.
Shared by – Monarose Sheila Pereira
monarosepereira@gmail.com
Author’s bio:
Author Monarose Sheila Pereira has worked in various facets of the media like print, radio and television. She is also a media professor in various reputed graduate and post graduate institutes. She has published several books for children and is hailed as India’s Enid Blyton. Her vast media exerience and knowledge was appreciated by many professionals.
