Suicide prevention in the context of COVID-19: An Indian perspective.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the health and wellbeing of communities worldwide. Measures to limit transmission, have enhanced vulnerability of individuals to well identified risk factors associated with mental illness and suicide. These include a sense of loneliness, anxiety, depression, insomnia, PTSD, harmful alcohol and drug use. Given that the potential for increased rates of suicide persist, the suicide prevention agenda remains urgent and essential. The same is one of the cornerstones of resilience in a society that is facing an array of challenges due to the pandemic. In this article, we recommend few possible strategies for attenuating suicide risk amidst the COVID-19 pandemic with particular relevance to the Indian context.

Addressing the mental health concerns of migrant workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: An experiential account.

The COVID pandemic has affected the world in a drastic manner taking a toll of not only human lives but also the economy and lifestyle. Of all the population suffering, the underprivileged and vulnerable groups have faced the maximum economic burden. Within India, an ample quota of people migrates annually for elementary occupations in service, sales, building and domestic industries. Generally, they are exposed to discrimination, work-rights exploitation and job insecurity. The onset of COVID 19 has accentuated these issues in unprecedented ways. The Apex Court of the country took note of this plight and gave directions to the governments to take care of the immediate needs of the migrant workers. This article attempts to reflect the mental health concerns of the migrant workers who were temporarily sheltered at relief camps across Bengaluru city in the state of Karnataka, during the ongoing COVID pandemic. The article ends with giving recommendations.