The extended lockdown in place to contain the spread of Covid-19 has acted as a trigger causing spike in number of people experiencing stronger forms of mental health issues which were earlier mild. According to experts, this is the time when the government should focus especially on the youth in a manner that not only capitalises on their skills and aptitude for their own well-being but also for the welfare of society.

Talking to The Pioneer, psychoanalyst Aditi Arora said that the lockdown has acted like a situational trigger. There has been a spike in the number of people who were earlier mildly depressive or moody but are now experiencing such conditions in stronger forms. “The lockdown has had varied effects including mass anxiety. Among the patients I counsel, there has been a rise in middle aged women in the 38-50 years age group who are now delving more on their own individual issues. A homemaker plays so many roles during the day but the lockdown has reduced some of these tasks especially as the children are also staying at home. This has given women more time to think about themselves and their situation. Also, many people have turned towards spirituality and pondering on existential questions. However, I believe it is the youth the government needs to focus the most on.”

Arora elaborated that since youth are the biggest resource of the nation, their skills and aptitude can be put to good use in these difficult times. “With very basic training to spot signs of mental health issues, the youth can be organised to interact with people in their localities. Using social media and other means, the youth can remain in touch with people in their neighbourhood, especially the senior citizens and refer those with symptoms of mental health issues to professionals. The youth need purpose and such proactive activity will benefit both the youth and society,” she said.

At the same time, the lockdown has also caused major change in the lives of the youth, especially those who were expecting job placements after completing their higher education. “These youth were on the tarmac preparing for take-off but then the pandemic and lockdown happened. The government should set up websites with specific vocational information so that the youth can choose options to work on their future. The government needs to take such measures now otherwise the youth could be experiencing more issues after some months.”

On the role of social media in causing mass anxiety in these times, the psychoanalyst opines that the government should facilitate measures to enable discernment among the people to help them make sense of the news.