Goa govt join hands with Maha-based Poddar Foundation

Panaji: Goa government has joined hands with Maharashtra-based Poddar Foundation in tackling the psychological issues that might crop up due to current lockdown.

Speaking about the association with Poddar Foundation, State Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said “as a health minister of the state, I feel that it is not just the physical health but also the mental well being of citizens of Goa that needs to be given priority in this pandemic situation.”

“I will take all the necessary steps to protect our people and I am confident that our collaboration with Poddar Foundation and Wellbeing Volunteers United will help us achieve our objective,” he said.

The spokesman of Poddar Foundation said that Wellbeing Volunteers United is a collective effort of different organizations working in the field of mental health which bring varied levels of understanding and ability to solve today’s challenges. 

“The Goa State Government as well as Maharashtra State Commission for Women have also thrown their weight behind the initiative given the imminent need to address mental health challenges in the wake of the COVID 19 crisis that poses serious health and livelihood threats to people,” the spokesman said.

He said that with India emerging as a hotbed of mental health challenges, a new multi party initiative under the banner of Wellbeing Volunteers United has launched a multi dimensional effort to address the disturbing progression of depression, anxiety and substance abuse in the country.

“With a global pandemic creating extraordinarily difficult circumstances, the initiative becomes all the more important to offer much-needed mental health support to distressed people,” he said.

The foundation’s initiative works at all fronts, including a 24/7 helpline where psychiatrists answer distress calls from people.

 “It has been an honour to have founded the psychiatric division of the Wellbeing Volunteer United. Our volunteers answer the distress calls and have been equipped to address the mental health challenges arising due to the current environmental challenges,” said Dr Kersi Chavda, Psychiatrist at PD Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai.