Summary:
The Nipah Mental Helpline was set up on May 30 specifically to deal with public anxiety, and it has so far been able to handle the responsibility rather well despite the largely misguided information circulated on social media. The Nipah Mental Helpline was a novel experience for the team which had dealt with only repercussions of natural disasters. For the Health Department in the district, dealing with public anxiety is a task as difficult as handling the deadly virus. The helpline was set up as part of the District Mental Health Programme and is supported by senior psychiatrists like Mohammed Issudheen of Mental Health Centre; Dr.
M.T. more-inFace masks put on by people in Kozhikode these days stand testimony to the level of fear and anxiety over Nipah outbreak..