Challenges in geriatric mental health delivery during the COVID-19 lockdown in India: Illustration using a case report

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic and the global/local response to it have placed the mental health of older adults disproportionately at risk. We illustrate the challenges in geriatric mental health care during the COVID-19 lockdown in India using a case report. Mr. S, a 65-year-old man, developed very late-onset schizophrenia-like psychoses in January 2020. While his illness is not novel, the pandemic accentuated his distress and led to barriers in accessing elective mental health care. Social inequity including economic disparity and digital literacy amplified barriers in accessing care. In the meantime, he developed suicidal ideation and attempted self-harm, which was averted. Mr. S was finally able to access subsidized government mental health care in June 2020 and is recovering. However, we argue that the barriers to treatment and consequent delay in care in the context of the pandemic are worth addressing.