Kaethe Singer, accompanied by her cat „Lady Mouse", studies at home during the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Jugenheim, Germany, April 30, 2020. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach
As the coronavirus pandemic rapidly sweeps across the world, it is inducing a considerable degree of fear, worry and concern in the population at large.
Medical teams across Qatar’s healthcare system are working tirelessly to combat the spread of the virus and ensure anyone with COVID-19 receives the very best medical care to manage their physical symptoms.
However, it is important that people’s mental health is also prioritized at this time. Many people are understandably worried by the current situation and may feel frightened, confused, anxious, or low. The symptoms of conditions such as depression and anxiety can often go unseen, but the impact they can have on an individual must not be underestimated.
Even in normal circumstances, many of us will suffer some form of stress or psychological distress. But the emergence of COVID-19 and its impact on our lives can be a major cause of stress and anxiety. It is important to remember that these difficult times will pass, and life will return to normal.
As part of its public health response, the Ministry of Public Health has worked with partners to develop a set of new materials on the mental health and psychosocial support aspects of COVID-19.
In collaboration with Ministry of Public Health and Primary Health Care Corporation, Mental Health Service in Hamad Medical Corporation have launched a new helpline to provide support for people experiencing mental health problems as a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic.
The helpline is staffed by a team of mental health professionals who can provide assessment and support to callers through four main categories: Children and parents, adults, older people and frontline healthcare workers.
The helpline aims to provide an easily-accessible support line for people in need of professional advice and care.
To access the helpline, which is available from 7am to 10pm every day, members of the public can telephone the toll free number, 16000.
Call 16000, Press 2 for English, Press 3 for HMC Medical Services and Press 1 for Medical Consultation.
Mental health staff manning the helpline speak a range of languages and every effort will be made to enable callers to communicate in their language of choice, where possible.
Mental Health Helpline Service has managed more than 3,000 calls from the general public and frontline staff, since it was launched.
According to experts, everyone experience feelings of stress, anxiety, and sadness, and most of the time these feelings pass quickly, but for some people, these feelings persist and negatively impact their quality of life.
Dr Abdul Hakeem Hamza, Senior Consultant, Family Medicine at Primary Health Care Corporation, has said that everyone has the potential to develop mental health issues regardless of age, gender or social status.
“The most common mental illnesses are anxiety and depression. People should seek professional help when they show symptoms like feeling sad for a longer period of time, inability to concentrate, extreme mood changes, drop from usual activities, low energy levels, lack of sleep and inability to cope with daily life,” he said.
Dr Hamza also advised people to take care of their body, take deep breaths, stretches, meditate, to eat healthy, well balanced meals, do exercise and get plenty of sleep.
“Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting, take breaks from watching reading and listening to news and social media. Connect with others, talk with people you trust about your concerns and about your feelings. Noticing early changes in the way we think, act or feel or recognizing those changes in people close to us is important to ensure all get the help and support need to be healthy and happy,” he added.
