The COVID-19 Crisis and Lockdown in India: Effects on Psycho-Social Health and Well-being

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has emerged as a global public health problem, bringing the world down to its knees within three months of its emergence. International and national borders are closed, economies crashed, travel restricted, cities under lockdown and billions quarantined at their homes in an effort to contain the outbreak. Pandemics like these are not merely biological phenomena. The consequent psycho-social implications can far outlast the pandemic. India being a socio-culturally diverse and populous country, has unique challenges to deal with mental health and well-being during such times. The limited public health resources, low awareness, stigma and prejudice towards mental health being some of them. The vulnerable populations like frontline workers, elderly, migrants, homeless, daily wage workers and labourers are further traumatised and helpless during COVID- 19. The various mental health problems can include rise and worsening of psychiatric disorders like depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorders and insomnia. Furthermore, the isolation and loneliness of lockdown can impair social connectedness, promote misinformation and lead to unhealthy use of technology. This commentary glances at the problem statement and implications of COVID-19 and resultant lockdown in India, focusing on the various facets of mental health. It then highlights the various ways of preserving psycho-social well-being during such a pandemic, in our socio-cultural context.