Faizanur Rahman, Assistant Professor & Mohammad Haroon, Research Scholar respectively at Faculty of Law, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi
Introduction
The entire world is facing the challenges of COVID-19 outbreak which has changed the socio-economic scenario of the world. Millions of painful deaths during this pandemic are speaking a lot about its severity. The lockdown imposed to prevent the spread of the novel Corona virus has been one of the primary concerns throughout COVID-19. Restrictions on daily functioning, separation from loved ones, approaching economic crises, influence on schooling and profession, and a lack of recreational activities, along with stringent cleanliness procedures, can all lead to mental health difficulties in those who are confined. The second wave of the COVID-19 infection has wreaked havoc on the country’s healthcare infrastructure and way of life. The second wave is having a psychological effect on those who have not been infected, with many feeling overwhelmed and helpless in the face of the problem. People are living in fear of missing of their beloved. This state of fear has affected more the mental health of the people which is an important aspect of overall health. It enables an individual to strike a balance between life activities, efforts, and responsibilities in order to achieve psychological resilience.1 To reduce distress, disability, and premature mortality associated with mental illness, as well as to improve recovery from mental illness and ensuring access to mental health care the country requires an adequate mental health care system as well as law and policy. The Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 is the pre-pandemic law which deals with the mental health and the access to mental health care in India. This paper deals with the issues related to mental health arise as the consequences of COVID-19 outbreak and the access to mental healthcare in the country.
