Mental and Psychosocial Health: A Post-COVID Concern in India

Background: India, with a total population of 1,309,053,980, has 0.29 psychiatrists, 0.00 child psychiatrists, and 0.80 mental health nurses per 100,000 population. The mental health expenditure per person is just 4 INR as per Mental Health ATLAS 2017 (World Health Organization). The treatment gap for mental disorders still remains very high. These raise issues to our mental health status post coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Higher levels of anxiety, stress, and depression after the stay-at-home order post COVID-19 could lead to further psychological trauma besides mental health. A younger age, the female gender, and the caregiver status have a greater degree of stressfulness because of the pandemic. Objective: To assess the mental health status of the general population post COVID-19 in India. Material and Methods: An online survey was conducted using Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) 21 in the month of July, 2020. Results: The results of the online survey using DASS 21 conducted in the month of July, 2020, in India support the mental distress in the general population too. Conclusions: Systematic and regular surveys need to be conducted to allow for monitoring of the mental health impact of COVID-19 from time to time and prepare ourselves so as to prevent the second wave of mental health crises post the COVID-19 pandemic.