According to a study, conducted by GOQii, the ongoing Covid pandemic and lockown measures to contain it, have caused a serious mental health problems among many Indians.
GOQii, a smart-tech enabled preventive healthcare platform, has said in the study that 43 per cent Indians suffering from depression.
The study has reached to this conclusion after surveying around 10,000 Indians.
According to the study, 26 per cent respondents were suffering from mild depression, 11 per cent were feeling moderately depressed, and six per cent were facing severe symptoms of depression.
“The last five months have been unexpected. The situation has taken a major toll on the mental health of citizens. With the series of lockdowns, anxiety, job cuts, health scares, and the overall volatile environment, stress levels are at an all-time high.
“Copious amounts of stress can lead to depression. With the current lockdown and lifestyles drastically changing, we have seen that 43 per cent of Indians are currently plagued with depression and are learning to cope with it,” the study said.
Patient Health Questionnaire or PHQ-9, prepared by the GOQii, assessed nine aspects of individuals’ routine during the lockdown.
These were daily routine, including interest levels in activities, appetite, sleep cycles, ability to concentrate, and energy levels.
The study found that an increasing number of people across the country are dealing with mental health issues. Mounting uncertainty has compounded the problem further.
The study suggests changes in lifestyles, consumption of balanced diet and appropriate sleep patterns.
“With the change in lifestyle, approximately half of the population is having trouble with their sleep,” the study said.
Feeling hopeless, on the other hand, was not so common among the respondents. Only 10 per cent of them said they felt “down and depressed” more than half of the days or nearly every day. The study suggested that adding exercising to one’s daily routine could help improve their mental health.
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