Stressed Covid-19 warriors dial shrinks

AGRA: Overwhelming workload, the need to isolate self from family and lack of protective gear are taking a mental toll on those on the frontline of the Covid-19 fight - doctors, nurses and cops - who have been increasingly dialling psychologists to seek therapy.

Psychologists TOI spoke to said that with little or no support to boost mental health, more frontline workers have been calling them. Jagmohan Wadhavan from the department of psychiatry in Ganga Ram Hospital said for many health workers, fear of getting infected and passing it to a family member is a great concern.

"Health workers can often get depressed when they read about medicos getting infected around the globe. I advise them to use proper protective gear, stay away from family and take adequate rest."

But staying away from family can bring on more stress for some. Associate professor in the department of psychiatry, GMCH-32, Chandigarh, Ajit Sidana, said a lot of callers seeking consultations cite social disconnect and staying away from family as the reason for their depression. "We encourage them to stay in touch with loved ones through video calls," he said.

In hospitals, doctors have been divided into teams. Each team works for a week and then goes into quarantine. This means these medical professionals have to stay away from their kin for 21 days at a stretch.