© Mazen Abusrour
Culture & Living
7 reliable mental health resources that will help you through the lockdown
Our new normal is also the cause behind increased levels of stress, anxiety and loneliness. If you're going through mental health issues during this period of self-isolation, Vogue curates a list of services you can rely on
From planning summer vacations a few months ago to discussing in detail, all the ways to disinfect your surfaces during a pandemic—conversations within our social circles have changed a great deal. Social media feeds are reflective of the environment. There's plenty of #Throwback content, #AboutLastNight posts are overflowing with video conferencing screenshots, and not to mention, exhibiting all sorts of creative pursuits our friends are into, as they self-isolate. A popular meme spotted on Instagram: Shakespeare wrote King Lear while self-quarantining during the outbreak of plague. What are we doing?
While some of us are spending time honing skills and taking up a hobby, many amongst us are facing stress, loneliness and the pressure to do something new while living the new normal. If you have been undergoing therapy, this time can be particularly trying as movement is restricted. According to a recent survey conducted by the Indian Psychiatry Society, there has been a 20 per cent rise in mental illness cases.
It's natural to feel unsettled in these times. In case you’re trying to cope with the situation, you can talk to a professional while social-distancing too. There are organisations and independent mental health experts who are extending their services through phone calls and virtual sessions, whether you’re a working-age adult, senior citizen or looking for help for your child. Scroll down for a curated list of a few.
Toll-free government helpline
In collaboration with the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, the government has launched a helpline number for people who may face behavioural issues. "We are under a lockdown and behavioural issues are very important under such situations. It is a new process…NIMHANS has launched a toll-free number. I request everyone to fight unitedly against is disease so that if we see any mental health issues then all the institutes are equipped to provide you with necessary support so that if we see any mental health issues, then all the institutes are equipped to provide you with necessary support," Lav Agarwal, the joint secretary of the Ministry of Health said in a press briefing.
Call: 08046110007
BMC-Mpower 1on1
MPower, a leading mental health counselling centre in the country, has collaborated with the Maharashtra government and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), to provide citizens a 24-hour helpline. It gives you access to trained clinical psychologists, psychiatrists and mental health counsellors, and is available free of cost to people across Maharashtra.
Call: 1800-120-820050
Counselors on Call
Counselors on Call is an initiative by Project Mumbai, in association with Prafulta, a psychological wellness centre. It’s aimed at providing emotional support to navigate through difficult times, and is functional for 12 hours every day.
Contact one of their experts, here
Indian Association of Clinical Psychologists
IACP is providing psychological tele-counselling and first aid in view of the outbreak. The organisation has curated a list of professional volunteers who you can get in touch with from anywhere in the country.
Contact one of the volunteers, here
Wellbeing Volunteer United
The psychiatric division of the Wellbeing Volunteer United is well-equipped with professionals who are able to handle the rising stress. Supported by the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission, the Maharashtra State Commission for Women and a list of NGOs, they have started with taking distress calls in Mumbai and Goa.
Contact: 1800-121-0980
Varta
Collated by people from the queer community, Varta is an online service platform. You select your region, service focus and finally the specific nature of the issue you're facing, and the website give you a list of most suitable professionals in their database. You'll get about eight or more experts for any of the problems, so you can choose and call any of them.
Get their services, here
Association of Psychiatric Social Work Professionals
In view of the COVID-19 outbreak, APSWP is providing online psychosocial support and mental health services to people across the country. Their many expert volunteers can be reached on phone. Apart from helping you navigate through self-isolation, they are also eligible to give out basic information on signs and symptoms, myths and misconceptions and healthy hygiene practices.
Contact one of the professionals, here
Also read:
Nurturing ‘everyday creativity’ can help you get through lockdown—here's how
