Covid Counselling

“You have power over your mind-not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” – Marcus Aurelius

The Covid-19 global pandemic and it’s far reaching implications has altered our lives in ways that wasn’t anticipated. The prolonged, complex and uncertain eventuality of the pandemic is likely to present increased mental strain on populations on a larger scale. At SCS, we recognize the need to be mindful and address the seriousness of the public’s mental health crises facing our community today.

Since the onset of the pandemic, the need for mental health services has become an increasingly critical issue, as the resulting social isolation and overwhelming uncertainty, have all heightened the number of cases in mental health issues like anxiety, depression, traumatic stress and more.

Increasing number of cases in mental health disorders among the general population especially the elderly, children, migrant workers and healthcare professionals, besides the patients with COVID-19 infection, poses a major challenge.

Mental Health Crises amidst the Global Pandemic

The brazen new realities enforced upon us over the past few months during the outbreak of COVID-19 have taken a toll on the majority’s mental state. Adapting to a lifestyle that contrasts with conventional ways, be it working from home, unemployment, home-schooling of children, and lack of physical contact with other family, friends and colleagues, takes time getting used to.

Major lifestyle changes combined with the exposure, continued media coverage of the distressing impact of the virus globally, fear of contracting the virus, bereavement, isolation, loss of income and concern about the people close to us who are vulnerable (elderly, children, people with weak immunity or suffering from underlying health issues), are challenging for all of us. These conditions are not only triggering mental health concerns, they are also exacerbating the ones already existing. Most commonly surfaced mental health issues include-

  • Feeling stressed or overwhelmed
  • Anxiety, worry, or fear
  • Racing thoughts
  • Sadness, tearfulness, loss of interest in usual enjoyable activities
  • Physical symptoms, such as increased heart rate, stomach upset, fatigue, or other uncomfortable symptoms
  • Frustration, irritability, or anger
  • Restlessness or agitation
  • Feeling helpless
  • Difficulty concentrating or sleeping

People with comorbid health conditions, mental and neurological issues or substance abuse disorders are also more likely to be at higher risk to SARS-CoV-2 infection that can lead to heightened possibilities of severe outcomes.

A survey was conducted by the ‘World Health Organization’ between June 2020 and August 2020 across 130 countries based on which an evaluation was done to determine how mental, neurological and substance use services have changed due to COVID-19, the types of services that have been disrupted, and what all measures are being taken by the governing and medical bodies to overcome these challenges.

According to the data estimation mentioned in ‘WHO’ website, more than 60% reported disruptions to mental health services for vulnerable people, including children and adolescents (72%), older adults (70%), and women requiring antenatal or postnatal services (61%).

Around 67% relayed disruptions to counseling and psychotherapy; 65% to critical harm reduction services; and 45% to opioid agonist maintenance treatment for opioid dependence.

More than 35% reported disruptions to emergency interventions, including those experiencing prolonged seizures, severe substance use withdrawal syndromes and delirium, often a sign of a serious underlying medical condition. 30% reported disruptions to access medications for mental, neurological and substance use disorders.

Around three-quarters reported at least partial disruptions to school and workplace mental health services (78% and 75% respectively).

Moreover, in the last few months, there have been many accounts of people experiencing increased levels of alcohol and drug use, insomnia, and anxiety. There have also been cases of patients recovering from COVID-19 who suffer neurological and mental complications, such as trauma, delirium, agitation, and stroke.

Our Mission

At SCS, our core objective is to recognize and procure effective advisory to address the emerging needs with regards to mental and emotional health in the wake of the global pandemic, which present challenges as well as opportunities for counselling and psychotherapy.

Our efforts are dedicated to provide ground for systems in thinking through application of a range of therapeutic frameworks, theories to address challenges on a global scale and the integration of counselling and psychotherapy into new sectors by providing support mechanisms for professionals and interdisciplinary research.

We are currently working on service models to address the prevailing concerns among the masses who are at risk of mental or emotional instability, by providing counselling assistance through digital approaches.

At SCS, our team of experts operate tirelessly to serve and promote measures when working with individuals who are either directly or indirectly impacted by the coronavirus.

We focus on the well-being of our clients through the establishment of safety in the therapeutic process and providing them with the opportunity to process the implications of this societal issue.

We additionally, facilitate the process of healing and assist in mediating factors that contribute to individuals’ vulnerability and risk.

Our team of experts are focused on providing effective integrated sessions of counselling for the wellbeing of mental, psychological and emotional health of our clients while strictly adhering to the guidelines of Covid-19 preventive measures. While keeping things in perspective, we are currently following a customised model for providing therapy intervention services by,

  • Using digital platform like providing Tele-behavioural health, or distance counselling to provide secure, encrypted, audio-video conferencing as means of communicating with the client in real time.
  • Anxiety & Stress Management, by encouraging our clients to voice their fears and analysing the factors leading to it, in the process helping them to provide directives to deal with it.
  • Post Covid-19 mental health care, assisting our clients who have recovered from the infection but the aftermath has left emotional, psychological and mental implications such as trauma, stress, depression and anxiety.
  • Assisting our clients to come to terms with the current situation and offering directives for healthy and precautionary measures
  • Supporting the morale of clients to cope with mental health challenges by adopting various lifestyle-related measures and self-care strategies.

The ongoing pandemic is a global challenge which has adversely affected the economy and social integrity of people and governments alike across nations. The profound impact of the pandemic has resulted in significant morbidity and mortality worldwide.

Although our governing bodies and healthcare workers are working persistently and tirelessly to contain the number of infections by issuing preventive measure, laws and practices, it has become even more crucial to be aware of the adverse effects it has already had on the population’s mental health. This can possibly further worsen the situation at an individual or communal level.
Wellbeing of mental health is a process that requires resilience and continued effort which gradually leads to our growth and the potential to achieve our goals.

We must realize that the pandemic has affected people from all fronts of lives across different nations, communities and genders irrespective of their positions in the society. The struggle of each individual may be different but ultimately, it should be accepted that the struggles are there and very much real for everyone.

The road to wellbeing is a process supported by hope, inner strength and perseverance, along with the involvement and support of others.
The story of our progression in this journey of surviving through the pandemic, about what we are going through right now and how we overcome the current challenges and the uncertain aftermath, will eventually become the survival guide for the generations to come.