As the ongoing second wave of the pandemic has taken a toll on mental health, the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) revealed its compassionate side for its staff and members of cooperative societies by holding a virtual interactive session titled “NCDC Health Talk-Covid & Mental Health”. Dr Nand Kumar, Department of Psychiatry, AIIMS, New Delhi, dwelled in detail on the ways to overcome mental health crisis during the pandemic that has swept the entire world.
For his part, Executive Director, NCDC, Dr KT Channeshappa, a Covid survivor, said: “People are going through a multitude of traumas which need to be talked about. NCDC Ayushman Sahakar scheme is a response and we have been holding a series of such sessions at the initiative of our MD Sundeep Nayak.”
Dr Kumar talked about various issues related to Covid-19 ranging from its impact on psychology, physical well being as people suffered persistent nervousness, irritability, poor concentration, sleep disturbances, panic disorders and phobia such as fear of not getting medical treatment in time which in turn aggravated the health problems.
Keeping in contact with the near and dear ones through virtual medium like phone and videos, restoration of physical activities like walking and doing yoga, meditation and maintaining a daily routine were some of the measures suggested by the doctor to keep the mental health problems at bay. He also emphasized on helping people whenever possible as it gives a sense of fulfillment and calms the restless mind.
“Also, having nutritious diets, cutting down junk and frozen food will keep one healthy. There is no need to take an overdose of so-called supplements or vitamin tablets on the pretext of increasing immunity, he said, as he emphasized on the common saying ‘healthy body has a healthy mind’.
“Covid will go away sooner or later but trauma caused by the virus will stay for a long time and we should come out of it as soon as possible by restoring our daily activities and Cognitive flexibility,” he said and advised that when in panic just think about the mantra that “this too shall pass”.
Preitiben Patel, Chairperson of Rajkot Womens Credit Cooperative said that mental health crisis has impacted women in a big way and the second wave have taken a toll on families while MD Sundeep Nayak added, “As an organization, it is NCDC’s responsibility to be with our employees and cooperators and help them find ways to cope with situations like these.”