COMMUNITY efforts are being stepped up to tackle a possible surge in cases of depression leading to suicide among expatriates financially impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, the GDN’s Raji Unnikrishnan reports.

The coronavirus has had a significant effect on international and local markets, with experts warning that GCC growth rates will take a hit due to the crisis.

Many local businesses have been struggling to stay afloat during these unprecedented times, as a large number of people, mainly migrant workers, have either lost their jobs or are not being paid.

The Indian Community Relief Fund (ICRF), which operates three hotlines, has been receiving an average of two calls a day seeking financial and in-kind aid.

ICRF chairman Aruldas Thomas told the GDN there have also been calls about people battling depression.

At least five people, all Indians, have reportedly committed suicide in the last three weeks, with the latest being a 25-year-old who took his own life in Eker on Thursday night.

“We are ready to help and we do that whenever people call us, after validating the situation,” said Mr Thomas.

“Whenever there is a psychological need we refer the cases to experts and this is the best we can do.

“If it is financial need, food or accommodation then we can help, which is the basic level.

“To the rest we want to assure you that we shall overcome this, so please don’t lose hope.

“We don’t want to see the suicide numbers going up like in the previous years.”

The GDN previously reported that an average of three people a month took their own lives in Bahrain last year, as the toll reached 37 reported suicides.

It is just one short of the 2018 figure, which reflected an alarming rise in the trend compared with the 16 confirmed suicide cases among expatriates in 2017.

Of the total cases in 2019, 33 were expatriates – 25 of them Indians – which compares with all 38 expats in 2018.

ICRF vice-president Dr Babu Ramachandran also expressed concern over cases linked to the Covid-19 situation, urging the public to remain aware and calm as the country works to limit the spread of the virus.

“We cannot rule out the possibility of a surge in the number of depression cases in the coming days,” said Dr Ramachandran, who is a general consultant at American Mission Hospital.

“There are not many actual depression cases that reach us in person, but, yes, we had three or four in the past two weeks and they are worried about the situation.

“There are three categories; one who is worried as they have a reason to because they have lost their jobs unexpectedly.

“The second group is those who are worried to go to the hospital – I get at least three or four calls a day saying that they have a cough or feel like shortness of breath and they suspect it is Covid-19.

“The third group is those who fear they would contract the virus from the hospital.

“It is safer to come to hospitals that are sterilised and disinfected than walking around without checking.

“To all these people I have to say that the Bahrain government is doing a great job and we need to trust and let the situation pass.”

ICRF member John Philip added that wider community engagement was needed to address the impacts of the pandemic and target the population most in need.

“We haven’t heard from the actual people who face depression, mostly it is friends who call us to inform us which is still a good sign,” he said.

“This shows the target population is hidden and we urge people to observe your friends and colleagues – if you see them behaving unusually then they might need help and we are here to help.”

The hotline contact numbers are on the image.