Govt to implement protocol for addressing mental health issues faced by people affected by COVID-19

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 22, 2020

The state government has come up with a ‘positive psychology protocol’ to cater to the mental issues faced by persons undergoing quarantine due to COVID-19.

An order issued by the Commissioner & Secretary in-charge Health and Family Welfare, Sampath Kumar on Monday said in view of the COVID-19 pandemic situation in Meghalaya, an increasing number of persons are required to be quarantined/isolated in order to contain the spread of the virus.

It said this entails feelings of solitude, loneliness, anxiety, depression and other forms of psychological issues in a person.  

“To address these issues, the Government of Meghalaya has brought out the Positive Psychology Protocol for those affected by COVID-19,” the order said.

The issue is currently being addressed by Psycho Social Support Units that are active in all districts. They cater to the mental health issues faced by persons under quarantine/isolation through on-call services.

The unit also provides consultations for clinical psychology as well as counselling services and are currently checking on every person who are under quarantine/isolation.

Kumar however said, a positive psychology protocol is the need of the hour to ensure that people under home/institutional quarantine/isolation are educated and sensitized about common mental health issues so that they can seek assistance as and when needed.

As per the counselling guidelines for people managing institutional quarantine/isolation, a case history of each person pertaining to previous mental health issues should be taken. Measures should be taken to ensure that patients with mental health history receive their regular medication to prevent relapse.

It said every person should be made aware of a dedicated active helpline number (108) that they can call to seek counselling support whenever they feel stressed or distressed while under quarantine/isolation.

It said doctors/healthcare workers are to ensure that queries of people pertaining to their test reports, duration of quarantine and any other information related to COVID-19 are answered during their regular rounds.

All persons in quarantine or isolation should be contacted on a daily basis -Psycho Social Support teams should make the first call when in need and at least once in three days to everyone. IVRS team should call everyone on a daily basis.

Daily documentation of stigma, stress, distress, anxiety, sleep impairment, depression etc., and other psychiatric issues and number of calls received in the helpline number provided is to be maintained, it also said.