Mental Health of Health Professionals during the Pandemic
Ms. Rose Ann Dominic
It was just another exhaustive day for Anitha, who is a nurse in a private hospital in Kerala. While travelling back home from work, her mind was busy with checking the precautions she should take when she arrives at her home so that her family, which includes her one year-old daughter and aged parents, is safe from the monstrous hidden enemy, the Covid 19. She is worn out, both physically and mentally. The miseries and deaths of her patients are haunting her. But she has left with no other choice rather than being resilient.
This is not an odd event, only for Anitha. Ever since the Covid 19 found a perfect host among us humans, our medical army, our frontline workers are working relentlessly as our guardians. Although just a human, while on duty they put on the shoes of a superhuman with infinite powers. They stretch themselves beyond their limits to save someone else’s life and family. While rushing to attend the patients, they often don’t listen to their own body which is drenched in sweat under PPE kit and longing for some rest and peace. The exponential increase in patient’s admissions, the mounting deaths, the endless hours of tiresome works, moral and ethical dilemmas, mental stress and grief, all had a toll on our health workers life.
Many a time, our health professionals have to abstain from their family and stay away in order to keep them safe. The fear of contracting the Covid 19 has engulfed them with anxiety and guilt. One can’t overlook the fact that they also have a family. They also have another role in their home apart from their professional designations. They are mothers, fathers, sons, daughters etc. who are longing to be with their near and dear ones.
No doubt that the unprecedented threats caused by the pandemic has shaken our health system. Our health professionals are overburdened. They are also human beings with all their vulnerabilities. They are akin to a burning volcano with no vent. Its high time that their mental health crisis has to be addressed duly. Emotional support and counseling services has to be offered to them minimum at least to ventilate their feelings.
We fold our hands with respect to all our health warriors, the saviours of mankind of this era. They are truly the guardians of this planet earth!We fold our hands with respect to all our health warriors, the saviours of mankind of this era. They are truly the guardians of this planet earth!