MRIIRS and Dr. O P Bhalla Foundation launches Mental Health Helpline- Sathi (Support & Assistance through Telephonic Helpline for Individuals)

MRIIRS in collaboration with its ISR arm Dr. O. P. Bhalla Foundation and Dainik Jagran started SATHI, 24/7 helpline, to provide emotional first aid to people during the Covid 19 outbreak. The counsellors were trained psychologist and faculty members of the department of Applied Psychology, MRIIRS. Before the start of helpline all the counsellors were given training on the emotional First Aid and Crises Management by Dr Chavi Bhargava Sharma (Dean- Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences). During all the calls, counsellors hear their concerns, allow them to vent and also suggest some activities to keep themselves productively engaged so as to cope with anxiety, anger and uncertainty. This was started during the Covid Lockdown.

To help citizens deal with their stress and emotions, SATHI (Support & Assistance through Telephonic Helpline for Individuals), a 24X7 helpline has been initiated. SATHI is a mental health initiative under Dr. O P Bhalla Foundation in association with Dainik Jagran. A call to a provided contact number is routed to the seven seasoned mental health experts who are assisted by a very capable team of 20 psychology interns at Manav Rachna’s Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences.

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The Counsellors spoke with almost 200 people. The callers varied in age, gender and socio-economic background got counselled from the experts. The counsellors talked to the people from Delhi NCR region.

The most common query that counsellors received was related to Anxiety. People were facing tremendous amount of anxiety during the lockdown. People reported anxiety about their future, job, financial security, health and well-being of their family. Students also got connected with the counsellors to share their emotions, most of them were counselled on their anxiety issues regarding exam and uncertainty about future.

Another significant issue that came up frequently was loneliness, especially among the elderly population. The counsellors received many calls from elderly where they shared feeling lonely because most members of the family were busy with work from home. The elderly felt isolated as their routine changed and they felt confided.  But the same time some reported that yes, they felt difficulty due to changes in routine, but they are coping with lockdown by spending quality time with their families and by participating in household chores like gardening, playing with grandchildren, reading books and going through old picture albums and sharing stories about past. They mentioned that these activities increased their closeness with family members, especially grandchildren, but they do miss going to park and talking to their friends. The counsellors encouraged people to try various activities which they enjoy doing help cope with lockdown.

Counsellors also encountered calls from students, who reported feeling bored at home as they are not able to meet their friends. Students reported missing their schools and college. Although the online classes did provide them with a routine but they missed the face to face interaction with teachers and friends. Some students reported the challenges of online classes due lack of proper resources like laptop, internet and even private space to attend class. These challenges were more prevalent in students from lower class and especially for a girl child from the lower class. As the girls expected to contribute to household chores more due to which it was difficult for them to attend online classes.

There were many calls from women. Most of the women reported feeling exhausted as they had to balance work from home, household chores and taking care of children. Most women reported lack of support from spouses in household chores, which were making them angry.

People also shared having relationship issues due to hostile communication and lack of personal space. People reported irritable, frustrated and stressed out which in turn was causing more argument with family members, especially with spouse and kids. In such cases, counsellors suggested quick relaxation techniques and increased self-awareness by identifying signs of stress/anxiety. A few people called back and shared that these techniques were helping them cope better.

There were also causes related to alcohol withdrawal. Many people reported an increased level of anger, hostility and anxiety due to lack of alcohol. Women reported domestic discord due to this. Some children also mentioned feeling stressed because of their father finding difficult to cope without alcohol.

There were calls reporting domestic violence as well. Women reported rise in physical and verbal abuse both from husband and in-laws. They shared how lockdown has reduced their chances of getting help as they can’t leave their house and can’t call for help as well. The domestic violence cases were reported by all sections of society is in lower class, middle class or upper class. In such cases counsellors shared the govt. helpline numbers with the callers.

Almost every caller shared the challenges faced by them during this lockdown and how corona virus has increased the uncertainty about health, jobs and financial security.

There are also calls regarding ration and medicine. People reported having to food to feed to their family. Appropriate help was provided to them in such cases through our ISR arm Dr. O. P. Bhalla Foundation.

There were also calls from upper section of society. They also shared feeling of anxiety, uncertainty, but most people felt bored and stuck at home. These people also shared how they miss travelling, going out and partying. This confinement in home was making them irritable and frustrated. These people reported heavy consumption of social media like instagram and tiktok which was adding more frustration as it was reminder of time before the corona virus. Few of people also shared the tremendous pressure of constantly updating their online profile which was causing lots of stress and negative thoughts.

Among all the challenges of lockdown there were also stories of how this lockdown has helped people in rediscovering themselves. Many callers reported that how they picked up new hobbies and start with old hobbies. The lockdown has forced many people to question their lifestyle and they reported becoming more conscious about their overall well-being and also the well- being of the environment.