COVID-19 and psychological issues

1. https://doi.org/10.1177/0020764020954487
International Journal of
Social Psychiatry
2021, Vol. 67(3) 303­
–304
© The Author(s) 2020
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DOI: 10.1177/0020764020954487
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E CAMDEN SCHIZOPH
The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has emerged as a
devastating challenge and it has shaken the global eco-
nomic, social, and healthcare systems. We do not know
when it will be ended, how many people will be infected,
and how many lives will be claimed by the pandemic
(Mamun & Griffiths, 2020). The pandemic has also placed
root in Pakistan. The first case of COVID-19 was reported
in Pakistan on 26 February 2020 (Waris et al., 2020). As
of today, COVID-19 cases in Pakistan have already
reached about 282, 000 (these figures are constantly
changing) and that has also claimed over 6000 deaths
(Government of Pakistan, 2020). Since then the govern-
ment of Pakistan have taken various initiatives at different
tiers of the government.
The government introduced lockdown across the coun-
try in early March, 2020. Self-quarantine and social dis-
tancing are the only available remedies to limit the spread
of COVID-19 (Harper et al., 2020). There are no options
left for governments but to impose lockdown which is
observed almost in every country around the World.
However, these lockdown, quarantine and self-isolation
entailed mental health challenges.
The mental health sufferings due to COVID-19 are
widely observed (Lima et al., 2020). This extensive lock-
down is creating panic, fear, sense of insecurity, and stress
in societies. With the advent of COVID-19 in Pakistan,
people staying at home in quarantine and self-isolation are
under physical and psychological pressure. Moreover,
many people have lost their jobs and they are seriously in
tense conditions.
Masses are terrified due to the impacts of the pandemic
in Pakistan (Imran et al., 2020). As such, the fear of
COVID-19 is essentially leading to suicide that is observed
in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India (Goyal et al., 2020).
Over 23 suicide cases linked with COVID-19 are reported
in Pakistan, out of these 7 were confirmed and other 4
were suspected COVID-19 (Mamun & Griffiths, 2020). It
is expected that the mental health crises situation in
Pakistan is becoming a serious issue and it will remain
even post COVID-19. It is therefore imperative to take
effective measures to address the mental health problems
in the country.
In other parts of the World, mental challenges and stress
are also reported to trigger common mental disorder like
anxiety and depression (Dar et al., 2017). Those people
who already have existing health issues like depression
and the old people living in loneliness and isolation are
most vulnerable to mental health problems (Adams et al.,
2004).
COVID-19 is basically a global crisis, so collective
efforts are required to deal with the pandemic (Thakur &
Jain, 2020). In the case of Pakistan, it is the responsibility
of Pakistani government to bring effective interventions
by following the instructions set by the world health
organization (WHO). Pakistan track record on mental
health issues is not significant as estimated that there are
over 50 million people suffering from a mental health dis-
order. Only 500 psychiatrists are looking for them with
ratio of 1:100,000 patients (Nisar et al., 2019). However,
some initiatives are taken by federal and provincial gov-
ernments in collaboration with local and international non-
governmental organizations (NGOs).
The Government of Pakistan (http://covid.gov.pk/) pro-
vided 26 pages document providing guidelines to manage
psychological impacts of COVID-19. It provides basic
instructions for dealing how to avoid stress, tension, anxi-
ety, and help to each other during the lockdown. This docu-
ment is prepared following the WHO’s instructions and the
document is disseminated massively in multiple local lan-
guages across the country. Mental health professionals in
public sector hospitals are providing support to masses
within the available resources. Local and international
NGOs are involved to address the mental health issues by
providing relevant information about impacts of mental
health issues and how to avoid these issues. For instance,
psychosocial support is being provided to children and
families who are affected by COVID-19. They are provided
appropriate care and psychosocial help for stigma preven-
tion. Some local civil society organizations such as Amazai
Development Program and Sarhad Rural Support Programe
are actively working in collaboration with local administra-
tions to extend facilities to manage mental health issues
especially in rural communities of the country.
COVID-19 and mental health
challenges in Pakistan
Muhammad Mumtaz
University of Haripur, Haripur, Pakistan
Corresponding author:
Muhammad Mumtaz, University of Haripur, Hattar Road Near Swat
Chowk Haripur Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan, Haripur 22630,
Pakistan.
Email: mumtaz86@hotmail.com
954487ISP0010.1177/0020764020954487International Journal of Social PsychiatryMumtaz
letter2020
Letter to the Editor

2. 304 International Journal of Social Psychiatry 67(3)
There is a need to establish rehabilitation centers
across the country for mental health crises and provides
24 hours assistance to public. Although, the government
has initiated such steps but only limited to the main cities
but these initiatives should be extended to even rural area
where majority of population is living. The mass media
has influence on dealing with health issue (Otten, 1992)
and a powerful tool to motivate public in these times of
hopelessness and helplessness (Latif et al., 2020). The
media should be engaged for providing awareness about
COVID-19 and different Psychiatrists and Psychologists
professionals should be invited for counseling sessions
on the national television (TV) and even on social media.
Moreover, the national TV should arrange to show patri-
otic movies and airing of emotional songs that can be
helpful for unity and for minimizing the risk of stress.
Likewise, the talks and speeches of religious scholars on
media can be very helpful to motivate masses and boost
their morale in order to face the crises. It is need of the
hour to raise public health awareness through mobile
message, local radio stations, and banners etc. It needs
integrative health policies focusing on mental health
issues and by taking mentioned steps, citizens can be
motivated effectively to stay indoor until the battle is
over against COVID-19.
Funding
The author(s) received no financial support for the research,
authorship, and/or publication of this article.
ORCID iD
Muhammad Mumtaz https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6754-8941
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