Teams lift Covid patients’ morale with ‘emotional therapy’

BARMER: A woman sub-divisional officer (SDM) in Rajasthan’s Jalore district, who had recovered from Covid-19 in the first wave, has started what she called an ‘emotional therapy’ for people contracting the infection in the second wave.

Mridula Shekhawat, SDM at Bagoda tehsil in Jalore, believes that a positive mindset will go a long way in overcoming difficult times. She has formed teams with the help of her staff to extend emotional support to Covid-19 patients by boosting their morale with positive thoughts. Under the initiative, the teams are reaching out to the patients over the phone.

Shekhawat had tested positive for the coronavirus in September last year, after which she put herself in home isolation. “During the isolation period, many times I went into depression. But I constantly got positive support from my family members and colleagues, which helped me in making a speedy recovery,” she said.

“Covid-19 has spread fast in the second wave, leading to more deaths. People are reeling from depression, uncertainties and fear. I felt that the emotional treatment which helped my speedy recovery would also help others. I discussed it with my staff and decided to extend emotional support to patients.”

Shekhawat said they have formed teams at each gram panchayat level, which include schoolteachers, especially of Hindi medium, who could communicate better with people.

“We get the patients’ list from the medical department. Our team members then call the patients. During the conversation, they enquired about their health and guide them about the do’s and don’ts during the isolation period. They share positive thoughts with the patients,” the SDM said.

“We share the stories of the people who have defeated Covid with a positive spirit, assuring the patients that like others they will also get cured soon. We collect positive pieces from newspapers

Mridula Shekhawat, Bagoda SDM in Jalore, has formed teams to give emotional support to patients. and share them with the patients.”

Shekhawat said, “Our approach makes the patients feel that apart from their family members, there are others to take care of them and it increases their confidence.”

Interactions with the patients also help team members keep an eye on their health, she said. “During conversations, we got to know about decreasing oxygen levels of some patients. We immediately arranged for their hospitalisation.”

Govind Singh, a schoolteacher at Dhumbdiya village who is a member of the SDM’S counselling team, said he used to call at least five patients every day.

“We are not health experts, hence we cannot help in treatment of Covid patients. But SDM madam’s unique idea makes us to serve Covid patients emotionally. During conversations with the patients, we try to boost their morale. We also keep an eye on their health parameters as by suggested by medical experts,” Singh said.

Kishan Singh, 40, of Dhumbdiya village, who had contracted coronavirus, said he became mentally strong to fight the virus after getting the conselling.

“I received calls from counsellors every day. The counsellors share positive thoughts while enquiring about my health. Apart from encouraging us to go for medication, they suggest us to do exercises and yoga,” said Kishan Singh.

“Such conversations helped us to think positive. We also feel confident, realising that the government is taking care of us on a personal level.’” { }