Prolonged COVID Creates Panic, Anxiety In Society: Psychiatrists

MULTAN: Prolonged stasis from the COVID-19 pandemic had created panic, loneliness, insecurity and other mental health problems in society, according to views shared by health experts during a “Mental Health Awareness” seminar recently organized by the Department of Psychology, Women University Multan (WUM).
Dr Mustafa Nasir, the Assistant Professor at the Department of Psychiatry, talked about the “impact of Covid-19 on the mental health of Pakistani society”. He emphasized how mental health hospitals should be constructed besides other effective measures to deal with rising mental health problems as the mental health crisis in Pakistan is becoming a severe problem.
The first case in Pakistan was reported on February 26, 2020, and since then, the government has taken various measures to address lockdown, quarantine, and isolation’s mental health challenges. He said that the pandemic had affected many people’s social and economic lives, taking deep roots in Pakistan.
Dr Nadir said that the age group of 15 to 29 years is most susceptible to this issue. Therefore, it is imperative to guide teens when regarding depression and loneliness, as they were the most common mental health problems, he informed.
Owing to the current economic situation of the country, rampant unemployment and rising inflation, the number of complaints of depression in Pakistani society was increasing rapidly, the psychiatrist noted.
He said that one should not be hesitant in consulting a doctor to solve one’s problems, as only mutual consultation can solve problems.
Prof. Dr Uzma Quraishi, Vice-Chancellor of WUM, also spoke at the seminar. She stated that mental health means complete physical, mental, social, and spiritual well-being. Unfortunately, she said that mental health was only attributed to mental disorders in our society, whereas it was a deep subject and related to everyone.
“A mentally healthy person knows how to play an active role in society. Good social relationships play an essential role in preventing mental illness. Without mental health, the concept of health is not possible. Only a stable mind can fully realize its potential, deal with the worries of life and play its role in the welfare of the country and nation”, the VC maintained.
“A mental health care and counselling society have been set up at the WUM for female students’ mental development and guidance.” She informed the audience.
The seminar also featured poster making competitions and plays while the students set up food stalls. A walk was also organized, which was participated by several faculty members and students.
Later, Prof. Dr Uzma Quraishi distributed certificates among the speakers.