"Some bridges are made to cross your sadness"

These can be difficult times for all of us as we hear about spread of COVID-19 from all over the world, through television, social media, newspapers, family and friends and other sources. The most common emotion faced by all is Fear. It makes us anxious, panicky and can even possibly make us think, say or do things that we might not consider appropriate under normal circumstances.

A Brief summary of the services given to students, faculty members..

A Brief summary of the services given to students, faculty members, hospital staff, quarantine families, patients and others during the present time of lockdown due to Covid 19.

Fear about the coronavirus has gripped the world. This new illness certainly is frightening and needs attention, but it’s important to note that far more people die from an illness that’s all too familiar- the seasonal flu? How to calm our anxiety and what are psychological effects of being quarantined.

The major difference between seasonal flu and coronavirus or other pandemics is that we understand seasonal flu very well. Instead of following rumors we must abide the government rules and trust the WHO information on Internet rather than fake news aggravating fear and anxiety. Poor and inaccurate information about covid 19 leads to panic situations.

A psychological support and emotional support on behalf of our department of happiness and department of psychology (Era University) will help online through telecommunication to overcome such fears and anxiety thus providing preventive steps and techniques to be followed by all to tackle psychological toll of covid 19.

Providing proper information about isolation and quarantine people understands that it is for their benefit and the benefit of their family.

Through counseling sessions by telecommunication, quarantined peoples, students, hospital staff, health workers and covid patients will feel better after the counseling.

In those sessions we teach them relaxation techniques, how to spend a day productively and how they can be in touch with their relatives through video calls. They can also watch movies and do some exercises. These will gradually help them become better.

Early Identification of mental health issues among home quarantined or isolated patients- children, adolescents, adults and elderly could be detected and provided sessions to cope up with such situations.

"It might be stormy now, but rain doesn’t last forever. This is the beginning of BLESSINGS we want."

Understanding the importance of Lockdown

Lockdown is meant to prevent the spread of infection from one person to another, to protect ourselves and others. This means, not stepping out of the house except for buying necessities, reducing the number of trips outside, and ideally only a single, healthy family member making the trips when absolutely necessary. If there is anyone in the house who is very sick and may need to get medical help, you must be aware of the health facility nearest to you.

Handling Social isolation

Staying at home can be quite nice for some time, but can also be boring and restricting. Here are some ways to keep positive and cheerful.
  1. Be busy Have a regular schedule. Help in doing some of the work at home.
  2. Distract yourself from negative emotions by listening to music, reading, watching an entertaining programme on television. If you had old hobbies like painting, gardening or stitching, go back to them. Rediscover your hobbies.
  3. Eat well and drink plenty of fluids.
  4. Be physically active. Do simple indoor exercises that will keep you fit and feeling fit.
  5. Sharing is caring. Understand if someone around you needs advice, food or other essentials. Be willing to share.
  6. Elderly people may feel confused, lost and need help. Offer them help by getting them what they need, their medicines, daily needs etc.
  7. If you have children at home, keep them busy by allowing them to help in the household chores - make them feel responsible and acquire new skills.

Focus on facts, reject rumors and theories

  1. Knowledge is power; the more you know about a certain issue, the less fearful you may feel. Make sure to access and believe only the most reliable sources of information for self-protection.
  2. Do not follow sensational news or social media posts which may impact your mental state. Do not spread or share any unverified news or information further.
  3. Do not keep discussing all the time about who got sick and how. Instead learn about who got well and recovered.
  4. Stick to the known advice- hand hygiene and keeping a physical distance from others. It is being careful about yourself, and also about care of others.
  5. A common cold is not Corona infection. The symptoms of Corona have been well described. Follow etiquette of sneezing, coughing, avoiding spitting in public places etc.
  6. In most people, the Corona infection causes mild symptoms and the person only needs to follow social distancing till he/she stops being infective, usually 2 weeks. Mild infection does not require a person to be admitted in hospital. Only people who have breathing difficulties need to be in hospital. Most people recover.

Handling emotional problems

  1. At times of anxiety, practice breathing slowly for a few minutes. Try and distance the thoughts that are making you anxious. Think of something calm and serene, and slow down your mind.
  2. When feeling angry and irritated, calming your mind, counting back from 10 to 1, distracting yourself helps.
  3. Even when feeling afraid, deal with it by asking yourself:
    1. What is under my control?
    2. Am I unnecessarily worrying about the worst thing that can happen?
    3. When I have been stressed in the past, how have I managed?
    4. What are the things I can do to help myself and be positive?
  4. Feeling lonely or sad is also quite common. Stay connected with others. Communication can help you to connect with family and friends. Call up people whom you haven’t spoken to and surprise them. Discuss happy events, common interests, exchange cooking tips, share music.
  5. If any of these emotions persist continuously for several days, despite your trying to get out of it, talk about it with someone. If the feelings worsen, a person may feel helpless, hopeless and feel that life is not worth living. If that happens, call at helpline number for advice from a team of experienced health professionals
"Don't be shy, ask for help It doesn't make you weak But will make you wise"

What is NOT advisable

  1. Avoid tobacco, alcohol and other drugs. Use of tobacco or alcohol or other drugs to cope with emotions or boredom can worsen physical, mental health and reduce immunity. People who already have a substance use problem may require professional help, especially when they feel low in mood or stressed.
  2. Do not shun or judge people with a CoVid infection. While you need to maintain a physical distance and keep yourself safe to prevent such infection, remember they need care and concern. If you know someone who might have the infection, tell them about precautions, and how to get medical assistance, if required.
  3. If you happen to get infected with Corona, remember most people get better. Do not panic. Practice self-isolation and take medications that are advised.

Emotional issues after recovery

  1. While it is wonderful to recover from Covid infection, you may actually face stress after you have recovered and wish to get back into the community. You may have fear about your loved ones falling ill.
  2. People who do not understand the illness well may actually keep you at a distance, which is also very stressful and isolating.
  3. You may experience feelings of guilt that you were not able to work or care for others. This may lead to feelings of depression, helplessness or frustration.
  4. Use the ways mentioned earlier to deal with these feelings. Share your positive story that it is possible to recover from COVID infection.

Recognize mental health problems in your near and dear ones

Just as you can recognize your own mental health problems, be sensitive to such problems in your near and dear ones, which may include:
  1. Changes in sleep patterns
  2. Difficulty in sleeping and concentrating
  3. Worsening of health problems
  4. Increased use of alcohol, tobacco or drugs
  5. Be supportive to them. If the problems persist, please contact the helpline.

Persons with mental illness

Persons who had previous mental illness may face newer challenges during self-isolation or Covid infection:
  1. They would also have the same fears and stress as others which may worsen their previous mental health condition
  2. Social isolation may make them more withdrawn, moody and irritable.
  3. They may not seek/ get easy access to medicines and counselling

Help and support is vital for persons with mental illness...

Help and support is vital for persons with mental illness from their families and other care givers. tele helplines can provide support, in addition to regular taking of prescribed medication, a regular daily routine, keeping engaged and positive. Remember, good mental status in the difficult times may win you the battle more easily.

To help you refrain from losing focus and being unhappy,

To help you refrain from losing focus and being unhappy, we as Counsellors encourage you to approach us for any problem that you are facing- be it regardind covid-19,academic, emotional, social or financial- without hesitation.

Counselling provides an opportunity for individuals to learn to deal with fear,

Counselling provides an opportunity for individuals to learn to deal with fear, make better choices, improve interpersonal skills, develop confidence and increase mental growth. In a one-on-one meeting with a counsellor, individual are helped to explore and express feelings, examine beliefs and ways of thinking about their present situation, reflect on patterns of behavior, and work toward making healthier and happier changes.

Typical concerns of individual who seek counselling are :

  1. Handling uncertain fear
  2. Transition and change
  3. Uncertainty about values and goals
  4. Academic pressure
  5. Dealing with new academic patterns
  6. Personal relationships with the special one and with friends
  7. Family concerns
  8. Issues of grief and loss
  9. Stress, depression and anxiety
  10. Lack of motivation; concentration difficulties
  11. Others…

Services

Wellness helpline provides
you can talk to professonal over phone
  1. Person get space to talk with no pressure
  2. Confidentiality is maintained
  3. No judgment, criticism and assumptions
  4. You can unburden yourself
Counsellors will...
  1. Respect you and your problems
  2. Will help you to consider the different options and make choices
  3. Surely will make an attempt to reduce the problem
  4. Will intervene with right people to help you if required
Appointments are available from 10.30 am to 5.30 pm Monday-saturday and individual are usually seen for 45 minutes, depending on demand.

For individual session

  1. Intake appointments are scheduled at times and dates which are convenient , depending on their other commitments.
  2. In either case, the goal of the first meeting is to help the person identify the issues that are causing them the most concern.
  3. If a person wishes to continue in counselling, he/she usually continues to meet with the same counsellor seen in intake or Walk-In.

Psychological Assessment

In some cases where more precise diagnoses are required, we conduct psychological assessments. These tests are administered by a trained psychometrician. These tests help all those who are concerned with the client’s wellbeing to decide upon the best possible intervention.

Team
Medicine professionals
Psychiatrist
Psychologist
Nutritionist
Virologist
Spiritual heads of different religion