Karnataka: 8,000 treated for mental health issues linked to Covid-19 since May

BENGALURU: While reports and anecdotal evidence suggest Covid-19 has impacted people psychologically, mere counselling was not enough and hundreds of them required psychiatrist intervention.


Since May, according to data accessed by TOI, the government has conducted 4.8 lakh counselling sessions (multiple sessions with a person in most cases). Nearly 8,000 of them have been administered medicine for problems ranging from adjustment disorders, severe depression and, in many cases, suicidal tendencies.

Psychiatrist Dr A Jagadish says: “Mere counselling has not been enough in many cases. When a patient needs psychiatrist intervention and medication, it means the condition is severe.”

In one case, he said, a woman from Hubballi became suicidal because of apprehensions. This condition worsened when she tested positive for Covid. “This was still early days and private hospitals weren’t allowed to treat Covid patients,” he said.

Migrants and health staff also counselled

We shifted her to Victoria Hospital and the psychiatrist there treated her. We are happy that she became alright,” the psychiatrist said. According to the health and family welfare department, counselling and treatment happened mostly with those in quarantine (both home and institutional), followed by Covid patients.

“We’ve also counselled and treated migrant workers. From July, we’ve started counselling healthcare workers and doctors, but none required treatment so far,” one official said.

Of the 4.8 lakh counselling sessions, 71,002 were for migrant workers and 12,477 for healthcare workers and doctors. Treatment has been provided for more than 1,500 migrant workers.

Dr Rajani P, psychiatrist and deputy director (mental health), department of health and family welfare, said: “In most cases, supportive psychotherapy has been enough. In instances where people have been severely depressed, very anxious or suicidal, we’ve administered medicines. Most important, people must seek help when in distress.”

She said 80 psychiatrists (including in government hospitals), 31 psychologists, 41 social workers, 60 nurses trained in counselling are working round the clock. “I was treating a techie who complained of fatigue and stress. It progressed to sleeplessness and anxiety as his fever was persistent. At one point, he wanted to give up everything. Such cases need treatment,” Rajani said.