Experts across the heath sector have offered advice to the public to cope with mental distress during the present COVID-19 outbreak.
Healthcare professionals of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) in video messages in different languages have advised the public and asked to contact the new helpline on 16000 from 7am to 10pm to speak to a mental health professional if needed.
Videos are shared as part of the ongoing educational social media campaign launched by the Ministry of Public Health related to COVID-19.
Experts say its normal to feel stressed, scared, angry or confused during the COVID-19 outbreak but should seek help when it reaches an alarming stage.
“Many people experience anxiety or stress from time to time during the COVID-19 outbreak. It can be people feel sad, anxious, worried, confused or angry. That becomes a problem when it starts affecting your daily life,” said Dr Shaza Elfaki, Senior Consultant, HMC.
Dr Abdul Hakeem Hamza, Senior Consultant, Family Medicine, PHCC 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. Someone 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,” he added.
To seek professional help from a mental health expert, the public can call the toll free helpline on 16000. Callers to the helpline will be kept confidential and users can remain anonymous, avoiding the stigma often associated with mental health.
The professional staff taking calls at the helpline speak a range of languages and every effort will be made to enable callers to communicate in their language of choice. Staff will make an initial assessment of need, may offer brief support or refer for more specialist help when this is required. An appointment can be made on the line and a tele-consultation can be arranged with a suitable clinician.
Further, as COVID-19 pandemic represents huge health and safety risks, forcing most of to a swift reconsideration of life in general, people with intellectual disabilities can face even more challenges in their daily life. HMC has shared information to protect and navigate people with intellectual disabilities in this challenging time.
“Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their caregivers are advised to follow the standard infection control steps including hand hygiene and social distancing,” Dr. Khalid Abdul Hadi, Senior Consultant and Director of Audiology and Balance Unit at HM, has said in a video message.
