Maharashtra floods: Shocked Mahad locals need mental health support, say experts

Mauzam Panchari outside his house with all the furniture that was ruined in the July 22 flood

Ever since Amjad Kawchali's home at Mahad bore the brunt of floods last month, the 32-year-old has struggled to sleep. "I used to supply milk in the village, and had thirteen buffaloes. As the water level increased, I shifted them to safety, but the entire cattle shed got damaged. Next day, three of my buffaloes went missing. I haven't got any compensation from the state," said Kawchali.

Kawchali is among several adults and children who are yet to come to terms with the July 22 deluge. Children wake up in the middle of night crying out in fear, said Mahad locals. Experts said there is a need to take care of their emotional health.

"My 120-year-old home was under water and we are scared to enter it even today as it is still filled with muck. I have shifted to the house of my wife's relative at Kusgaon. My children and wife are still in shock," said Kawchali.

Parvez Konchalat, 45, another villager, said, "My kids scream in their sleep ‘paani, paani' and I have lost my entire business and ancestral house. I haven't slept peacefully since the flood." Konchalat has a stationery-cum-book depot and the business was already struggling due to COVID. "The savings were used up last year and with the flood, even the little money that was left is gone."

Parvez Konchalat lost his 100-plus-year-old ancestral house in the village in Mahad

Konchalat said, "Whenever it rains heavily, we all fear the worst. Earlier, we would enjoy our food, but today we do not even feel like eating."

Mauzam Pachnasari, 45, used to support his and his late brother's family of nine, including two kids, by selling garments he procured from Mumbai's Crawford Market. He said, "I was hoping to restart my business after the lockdown, but our dreams were shattered. Today, the house constructed by my father in 1972 is a booby trap. The walls have huge cracks and might collapse anytime. The water had almost touched the ceiling and our furniture and fixtures are damaged."

Psychotherapist, Dr Shivangi Pawar, says such experie-nces can leave long-term scars on subconscious minds of victims and that they require mental health assistance

"When the village was cleaned nearly 50 per cent, we returned with our kids but the scene was horrifying. The children, who were otherwise enjoying playing cricket and marbles in the open, have nothing left for playing," he said. Pachnasari said none in his village has received counselling. He said no compensation has come their way yet, though an initial announcement of R10,000 had been made for damaged houses.

Attempts to contact Aditi Thatkare, Guardian Minister for Raigad, did not yield any result.

Citing a study, Dr Sanjay Kumavat, senior consulting psychiatrist and former deputy director of mental health, Maharashtra government, said such incidents disturb people below 25 years of age more. He said such a situation - COVID and flood back-to-back - triggers "post-traumatic syndrome with symptoms like sleeplessness, anxiety, nightmares leading to suddenly awakening in the middle of the sleep, nocturnal enuresis, irritability leading to behavioural issues, withdrawn behaviour, poor food intake, secondary depression viz crying spells, suicidal behaviour."

What is expected of govt, NGOs

Dr Kumavat said the Mahad locals, particularly the kids, first need "Emotional First Aid". "Provide them with all necessary support to continue with their studies from gadgets to notebooks, and even technological support for joining online classes. Encourage them to get back to routine through play therapy, opening schools in makeshift arrangements. Arrange regular visits of counsellors to interact with them and provide counsellor assistance and if required even medication to help them bounce back in life," he said, adding that the children's families too need to be counselled. He added, "If these issues continue to be untreated and ignored, the young generation will have adverse psychological, sociological and physiological impact on their overall growth and development."

Dr Shivangi Pawar, a clinical psychologist from Dadar, said, "The experience can leave long-term scars on the subconscious minds of the victims and that they require assistance from mental health professionals."

Dr Pawar listed a few tips to face the situation. They include 1. allow yourself to feel sad or angry, remember there is no right or wrong way to feel. Understand that you have been through a distressing experience and give yourself permission to experience some reaction to it; 2. spend time with people who are supportive, familiar and respectful, avoid people who are unpredictable and negative in their approach; 3. seek professional help and practise meditation and other relaxing techniques which work for you. Writing a journal or indulging in an expressive art form helps in processing your emotions; 4. remember that you are coping up and you will only keep getting better here onwards. The situation will change and you will be fine soon. Think of the practical solutions instead of harbouring the feeling of regret; and 5. do not bottle up your feelings. Gradually thinking about and working through what has happened can assist in coming to terms with a traumatic experience.
This is the time to integrate public health principles into disaster mental health management, she said.