Tele-Consultation Projects

Tele-Consultation: A Collaborative Initiative by AIIMS Rishikesh & afifa foundation

The COVID-19 pandemic not only posed a severe threat to physical health but also triggered a mental health crisis across the globe. Fear, uncertainty, grief, financial distress, and prolonged isolation led to a significant rise in anxiety, depression, and stress-related disorders.

To address this critical issue, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Rishikesh, in collaboration with afifa foundation, launched a Relief Program for Public Mental Health and Psychological Crisis through Tele-Consultation Services. This initiative provided timely psychological support and mental health intervention to those struggling during the pandemic.

The Initiative: A Timely Response to a Growing Crisis
Launched on April 26, 2020, this relief program was spearheaded by:
• Dr. Md. Quamar Azam - Professor & Head, Trauma Center, AIIMS Rishikesh
• Prof. Ravi Gupta - Head, Department of Psychiatry, AIIMS Rishikesh
• Dr. Anindya Das - Faculty, AIIMS Rishikesh

Under their leadership, a team of leading psychiatrists, psychologists, and medical experts worked together to provide guidelines, policies, and advisory support for mental health care during the pandemic.

Addressing the Mental Health Challenges of COVID-19
🔹 Widespread Psychological Distress
The pandemic induced high levels of fear, anxiety, and uncertainty, particularly among:
• Those who lost loved ones
• Individuals who underwent quarantine or isolation
• People suffering from economic losses and job insecurity
• Healthcare professionals working on the frontlines
• Children and older adults facing social isolation

🔹 Telemedicine-Based Mental Health Support
Under the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW), Government of India, AIIMS Rishikesh and Afifa Foundation implemented a Telemedicine Mental Health Program to:
✅ Provide virtual consultations with expert psychiatrists
✅ Offer psychological counseling and support
✅ Disseminate public mental health advisories to help individuals cope
✅ Develop policies and strategies to address long-term psychological effects

🔹 Multi-Level Approach to Mental Health
1️⃣ Private Tele-Consultations - Conducted by AIIMS experts to assist individuals with acute psychological distress.
2️⃣ Public Mental Health Advisory - A team of dozen expert doctors shared mental health guidelines for managing stress, anxiety, and depression.
3️⃣ Community Support & Awareness - A comprehensive program focused on educating communities about mental well-being during the crisis.

The Impact: Transforming Mental Health Support
📌 Within just 3 months, over 10,000 individuals received direct mental health support through this initiative.
📌 Increased awareness and accessibility to mental health services through digital health interventions.
📌 Provided guidelines and recommendations that shaped national mental health policies during the pandemic.

Special Focus: Mental Health Among Vulnerable Groups
1️⃣ The Psychological Impact on Children
🚸 Children faced emotional distress, including:
✔ Fear of losing loved ones
✔ Anxiety over school closures and lack of routine
✔ Increased risk of domestic violence due to prolonged home stays

Solutions Provided:
💡 Psychological support through tele-counseling
💡 Strategies for parents to help children cope
💡 Advisory on creating structured routines at home

2️⃣ Mental Health Challenges for the Elderly
👴 Older adults were among the most vulnerable due to:
✔ Social isolation and loneliness
✔ Increased anxiety, stress, and depression
✔ Higher risk of cognitive decline

🔹 Mental Health Strategies Implemented:
✔ Encouragement of social connections via digital platforms
✔ Promotion of physical activity and routines for mental well-being
✔ Continuous tele-mental health support for elderly individuals