Another COVID-19 patient commits suicide in hospital

According to hospital authorities, the 57-year-old patient was a resident of Royapuram and has been at the hospital for about a week and did not show any suicidal tendencies. “The patient was symptomatic with comorbidities but was not critical. He was found hanging in the bathroom of the hospital room on Wednesday morning,” said a doctor from the Omandurar Medical College and Hospital.

The local police have registered a case and are investigating the incident. Two consecutive suicide of COVID-19 patients highlights the mental trauma the patients undergo due to long isolation and sickness at the isolation wards.

Psychologists say that lack of employment, stress, staying away from family or pre-existing mental stress can make an individual vulnerable during isolation.

“Misinformation on social media and internet about COVID-19 coupled with the stigmatisation of affected people makes an individual wrongly perceive this situation as an end-stage, even though it is not. Staying connected digitally with family/friends during isolation and reaching out to mental health helplines during emotional distress is very much essential. Change in one’s perception of quarantine to a social obligation which they can do to help the community would help reduce the distress,” said Dr Vivian Kapil, consultant psychiatrist at SIMS Hospital.

This also stresses on the need for counselling sessions for the COVID-19 positive patients, especially those with underlying psychological issues.

Senior consultant psychiatrist at Apollo Hospitals Dr V Raman says that many individuals are vulnerable and cannot take isolation, boredom or loneliness. “People need to realise that they are not alone in this and they can recover. Though front liners are doing a great job in ensuring that these patients do not develop any physical complications, mental support is also necessary for many of these patients. It is high time that the patients should be given therapy sessions and screened not just physically but also for their mental health issues. Patients need to be in constant touch with family members or any psychiatrist to prevent suicidal thoughts,” said Dr V Raman.