Stigma, The Horrors of the Past: How Covid-19 Shaped Our Social Story?

Abstract

In December 2019, a cluster of pneumonia cases emerged in Wuhan, China, eventually linked to the discovery of a novel coronavirus. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic. This declaration triggered anxiety, fear, and depression among many people. However, the lack of knowledge and the spread of rumours about this new virus also gave rise to social stigma. Frontline healthcare workers, individuals who contracted and recovered from COVID-19, as well as migrants, were particularly affected by this social stigma. Many of them experienced heightened levels of anxiety, fear, and guilt as a result. These feelings often led to symptoms of burnout and depression, and in some extreme cases, even suicidal attempts. In this article, we delve into the various dimensions of social stigma that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic in India as well as worldwide. Conclusion: Societies that faced stigmatization were more vulnerable and had a greater risk of COVID-19 infection. Social stigma has detrimental effects on both mental and physical health, particularly affecting younger individuals, which could potentially hinder the productivity and economic growth of future generations and the nation as a whole. Providing support, be it social, financial, or mental, to one another, plays a critical role in mitigating stigma. To fully grasp the enduring consequences of social stigma on mental health, future studies should investigate this aspect using prospective research designs.