Abstract Body

Second wave of COVID-19 subjected its survivors to a plethora of unpleasant experiences. They had to deal with loss of loved ones, loss of jobs, psychological issues and many others in addition to the sequelae of the disease process itself. Many of such patients or survivors may be afflicted to new-onset anxiety spectrum disorders, depression, post- traumatic stress disorders, obsessive- compulsive spectrum disorders, along with the exacerbation or worsening of pre- existing psychiatric illnesses. Such significant morbidity was difficult to handle in the circumstances of social distancing and over-burdening of the hospitals.
The first wave of COVID-19, although not very severe in India, was ample enough for mental health professionals to anticipate and plan strategies and it came handy in the second wave.
In our hospital, apart from providing sufficient time for daily in-ward supportive sessions for the admitted patients in COVID-19 wards, additional one-on-one sessions were taken for the patients to be discharged on the day, where they were provided inputs on ventilation and relaxation strategies, and were kept on short follow up as feasible. A biweekly group session for the post-discharge patients attending the OPD services was organized to provide essential support and personal help was provided to those who had significant symptoms. IEC activities organized by the appropriate government were a massive boost in utilization of tele-psychiatric services organized in various hospitals. However, the patient load significantly outnumbered the service providers and we were not able to reach and provide help to everyone in need.