Dear Colleagues,

The COVID-19 pandemic is great challenge for us, and it has disrupted our daily lives in personal and professional spheres beyond our expectations. Governments across the world are taking unprecedented steps to curtail the spread of illness and quick succession of changes are happening around us, making people bewildered and confused. Additionally, the working of every organization and professional bodies are being affected. As you are aware, we have been forced to postpone our executive council meeting on 21^st March 2020 at Bhubaneshwar. Several other such scientific meetings by Indian Psychiatric Society are being postponed. We are resetting our own priorities and conducting public planning, interactions and activities through digital medium and telecommunication.

We are all aware that the effects of COVID-19 are not limited only to our physical health but are going to affect the psychological and emotional health of large number of people in the country. As mental health professionals, it is our responsibility and duty to deal with the current situation with great courage, extraordinary spirit and resilient mind-set. We need to be in touch with our local community in every possible way and help government in implementing necessary steps for prevention of further spread. In our individual capacities, many of us may already be working to guide public and communities towards a healthy way of coping. Please share with us your endeavours and we will be more than happy to be a part of these activities, plans and initiatives and help you in your endeavours. A good emotional and mental health support for people in our country is likely to help us tread in difficult time in a better way… Read More