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STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: Cases of mental depression and anxiety have witnessed a rise in Assam due to the ongoing lockdown with a large number of people calling the government-run 104 helpline service to seek psychological counseling.
“We are receiving around 10,000 calls daily. While the majority of such calls are related with various queries regarding COVID-19, a good number of the calls are being made by people seeking psychological counseling. We channelize those calls to experts, psychiatrists and counselors,” a source in the office of 104 helpline service said.
A city-based psychiatrist said that a good number of young and middle-aged people are calling him complaining about extreme boredom and anxiety as they have to keep themselves indoors for quite a long time. He also said that some elderly couples whose children are living outside Assam, are also seeking help on how they to maintain mental and physical wellbeing during the lockdown period.
“I have also received calls from certain individuals who are alcoholics and addicts. Some of them are suffering from unknown fear, frustrations, lack of appetite and body shaking,” the psychiatrist said.
He added that the callers have been advised to keep themselves busy in various activities such as reading books, spending time with family members, watching good movies, doing yoga, meditation, prayers and exercise. He stated that the alcoholics, who are faced with “withdrawal symptoms” due to less intake of liquor or the non-availability of liquor, must consult doctors to take medication.
On other hand, the lockdown has also witnessed a rise in domestic violence against women. From March 24 till Thursday, the 181 women’s helpline service has registered 72 cases of crimes against women. Cases related to making obscene comments made against women through various ways including WhatsApp and social media have also been registered.