Title:Mental Health Needs in COVID and Post-COVID Era-How Far
Can Telepsychiatry Address the Challenges?
Volume: 19
Issue: 3
Author(s): Udayan Bhaumik*
Affiliation:
- Department of Psychiatry, Antara Hospital, Kolkata-700145, India
Keywords:
Stress, mental health, COVID-19, pandemic, telemedicine, telepsychiatry.
Abstract: The coronavirus pandemic of 2019 has resulted in extensive social regulations and
affected many aspects of life. It has led to significant stress and adversely impacted mental
health across the globe. The virus has been found to directly increase neuropsychiatric sequelae
in those affected. Various psychosocial factors have also increased the incidence and prevalence
of mental health problems worldwide. There was a need for a ramp-up of psychiatric
services to support individuals in such a situation. Even after the pandemic, there is a need for
improving access to mental health services for the mentally ill as well as those affected by the
regulations brought about to tackle the pandemic. Telepsychiatric services are in place
throughout the world in different forms and are the answer to bridging the mental health gap
during and in the aftermath of the pandemic. Hence, it is important to continue developing and
enhancing tele psychiatric services in different countries for supporting and treating individuals
affected by the pandemic.
