Chandigarh, Oct. 9 -- With catastrophic or emergency-like situations becoming more frequent - from natural disasters to global health crises - access to mental healthcare during such times has become a pressing priority. Ahead of World Mental Health Day, the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) underscored this year's theme: "Access to services - mental health in catastrophes and emergencies."

Clinical psychologist Abhishek Verma from PGIMER's psychiatry department explained that when a crisis hits, almost everyone affected experiences psychological distress. Common reactions include anxiety, grief, sleep disturbances, fatigue, sadness, irritability and anger. While these often improve with time, for a criti...