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

Abstract

Background: 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 15th 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: 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