Hamirpur (HP), May 31 (UNI) The Union health department has taken steps for providing Psychosocial support to COVID-affected people in the State through NIMHANS.
An official spokesman said today that the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Science (NIMHANS), Bengaluru had set up a 24X7 Psychosocial Support Helpline (80-46110007).
The mental health professionals from 19 States /UTs are providing their services through this helpline. All the Deputy Commissioners and Chief Medical Officers have been requested to publicise the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences Bengaluru which is 80-46110007.
This mental helpline shall help in providing mental and psychosocial support to the COVID patients, their contacts and families, and also to the general public.
In addition to this, he said that various advisories, guidelines, and educative material in the form of creative and Audio Video spots on the promotion of mental health and management of stress and anxiety have been prepared by the ministry of health and family welfare which is available on the website https//www.mohfw.gov.in.
He further informed that all the concerned district administrators have been asked to create awareness about this helpline and also use IEC awareness material from the said website in order to manage the mental health and management of mental health and anxiety during COVID-19.
He further added that this global pandemic is not only a serious medical concern but also has brought many mental health and psycho-social concerns to the population.
The vulnerable population includes children and adolescents, COVID positive patients, families who have had COVID deaths and many more. He said that people, in general, are facing a heightened level of stress, anxiety, and fearfulness, along with a range of other emotional and behavioural issues. Adverse mental health has a reciprocal relationship with the well-being and productivity of a society.
He appealed that in case of any psychosocial support required, the people in need should avail the organized and institutionalized help in the form of 104 helplines or the Psychosocial Support Helpline.
UNI XC RHK1318
