By the time the first quarter of year 2020 ended, about 200 countries across the world were in the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic. Apart from the infection itself, the pandemic also brought with it a second wave, that of mental health issues and increased anxiety levels. According to the WHO, India already has over 90 million people living with mental health issues. These have exacerbated during the pandemic due to uncertainty about the future, job losses, etc. With the conventional healthcare systems rapidly getting overwhelmed, many brands and organizations have taken it upon themselves to provide the much-needed support in these times. Here are five resources that people dealing with mental health issues can reach out to.
Caring for mental health with United We Care
Often, people with mental health issues are unable to come out and talk about what they are facing due to the stigma associated with it. What they need at such a time is a space where they can talk without the fear of being judged. United We Care provides that kind of an environment. The app-based platform helps people overcome issues affecting their mental peace integrating social, mental and legal support systems for men, women, youth and children and LGBTQ+ facing a difficult time in their lives. It is just the support system that people miss in today’s fast-paced digital world.
Holistic well-being with SARVA
Building immunity is key to overall physical and mental well-being – something that SARVA, India’s fastest growing yoga-based wellness ecosystem, is helping people achieve. Even as the government recently issued protocols for Ayurvedic remedies for COVID-19, the brand is helping people boost immunity and improve mental wellness through yoga and mindfulness. SARVA’s offerings address millennial fitness needs and the brand is working towards connecting 7 billion breaths. To get more information.
Medtalks
Medtalks, a leading healthcare Learning and Patient Education Platform, is helping address people’s queries around the pandemic. Apart from this, their special initiative called Baatein kuch Mann ki lead by specialists offers people a platform to talk about their anxieties and other stressors they may be facing. For more information.
Portea Medical
Portea is India’s largest out-of-hospital consumer healthcare brand helping people get home-based care including the elderly, those with chronic conditions, etc. During the pandemic, among others, the elderly population faced issues such as increased anxiety, due to a fear of getting infected by the virus and an inability to go for regular check-ups; and loneliness owing to social isolation. Portea has been a guiding light through this entire period and has helped people get access to teleconsultations, care-giver support and COVID-19 testing, among other things in the comfort of their homes. This is particularly helpful for those with a weak immune system since they do not need to venture out for regular consultations or even services like dialysis. For more information.