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Impact of Covid-19 pandemic on mental health

This issue must not be overlooked


Bangladeshpost
Published : 13 Jul 2021 09:35 PM | Updated : 14 Jul 2021 12:19 AM

A recent study has revealed that a total of 61.2 per cent of youths (aged between 18 and 25) in Bangladesh are suffering from depression. The study, which was carried out by the Aachol Foundation, also showed that of the 2,026 people surveyed, 3.7 per cent of them had actually attempted suicide during the pandemic.

Almost one and half years into the Covid-19 pandemic, the country is on the verge of another health crisis, with daily doses of death and fear generating widespread psychological trauma.  Lockdowns, school closings, work closings and social distancing have created a level of social isolation previously unseen across the globe. On top of that, fears about finances and food shortages have placed additional stressors on an already anxious and sensitised population.  

This pandemic and the associated changes, including serious financial implications for many households can create negative impact on our mental health. It is apprehended that post-pandemic Bangladesh will have to deal with mass post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), triggered by the ongoing Covid-19 crisis. Therefore, we all must act now to win the battle against mental health breakdown.


Mental health needs must be treated as a core 

element of our response to and recovery from 

the Covid- 19 pandemic


It needs no mentioning that mental health needs must be treated as a core element of our response to and recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.  We must remain  prepared for the mental health pandemic that will follow the coronavirus pandemic.

Mental health is still a neglected issue in Bangladesh. That the cases of mental imbalance among the youth are on the rise is, in fact, alarming. Experts assert that common mental health problems prevailing in our country during the pandemic are anxiety, depressive disorder, sleep disorder, acute stress, adjustment disorder etc. 

Given the impetus of the situation, we should work together to protect ourselves from mental health perils. Mental healthcare system in Bangladesh has long been facing miscellaneous problems including lack of public mental health facilities, scarcity of skilled workforce and inadequate financial resource allocation. Hence, the government should look forward to reinforcing country’s mental health services by allocating adequate fund.