Response to: Rethinking online mental health services in China during the COVID-19 epidemic

COVID-19 pandemic in India: through psycho-social lens

“…While the importance of psychosocial services is evident during such times, the traditional face to face services may not be available due to the pandemic, and the subsequent containment strategies. Remote support services, that are technologically assisted (previously considered to be a peripheral), thus become important during the pandemic (Malathesh 2020 ; Rosen et al 2020 ). Using iCALL helpline’s experiences, the paper now elucidates the nature of psychosocial concerns and impacts experienced by individuals in India during early phases of the pandemic.…”

The impact of viral epidemics and pandemics on acute mental health service use: an integrative review

“…Malathesh et al (93) also argued that telepsychiatry will lead to a paradigm shift in the way that psychiatric care is delivered. The adaptation to telepsychiatry has the potential to mitigate the inevitable negative impact of COVID-19 on mental health (94).…”

“…Furthermore, despite over two decades of evidence-based support for the use of digital psychiatry services, numerous barriers have prevented this online method from becoming embedded into standard practice (92). Some of the notable barriers include privacy issues, lack of guidelines around the legalities of telepsychiatry (e.g., data security), the remote management of patients who are agitated and potentially violent (and where a contained setting might be more suitable, although not necessarily mandatory), or the lack of access to internet or smartphones in specific vulnerable populations (45,71,92,93,95,98). Goldberg (71) also noted that some patients (e.g., those who are resistant to treatment) might use the current pandemic as a reason to drop out of treatment, which may lead to an increased risk of relapse in their symptoms.…”

Yoga for COVID-19 and natural disaster related mental health issues: Challenges and perspectives

“…Though prevention and management of these conditions are imperative, delivery of evidence-based in person psychotherapeutic interventions (e.g., CBT) has been hampered due to lockdown, physical distancing, and overburdened health care systems. The provision of these interventions via telecommunication has its limitations, like the digital divide in low-middle income countries, lack of adequate training in telepsychiatry in many countries ( Pereira-Sanchez et al, 2020 ), and lack of access to a telephone connection ( Malathesh et al, 2020 ). Consequently, the burden of mental illness may remain unaddressed for specific populations if unprovided with viable alternatives.…”