Coronavirus: Mental health of people badly affected

The mental health of people in Jammu and Kashmir has worsened amid the prevalent situation due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. J&K like other parts of the country is also facing tough times due to the pandemic as the cases from last over month have recorded a steep rise, thus compelling the government once again to go for a second phase of lockdown across the Union Territory. Amid the lockdown, the daily Covid cases have started plummeting, thus giving a respite to the people from the tight grip of the deadly virus, which has claimed over 3,700 lives so far in Jammu and Kashmir. However, the people continued to remain within the four walls of their houses. The businesses are shut and the schools, colleges and universities are closed. With such a situation in Jammu and Kashmir, the mental health of people here has got badly affected. The children are the most affected as they are not able to come out of their homes and start normal and routine exercises like going to schools and subsequently going to the playing fields. The trade community too is depressed as there has been no end to the sufferings and hardships they are facing presently. Amid suffering losses, the mental health of traders within the four walls of their houses is taking the toll on their overall health conditions. Therefore, there is a need to come up with favourable solutions so that things can work easily and the mental health of the people here is not affected any further. Besides fighting against the Covid, there is a need to fight against the mental illness as well as the situation has reportedly prompted the people to commit suicides, the rate of which is increasing rapidly.