Counselling sessions for farmers to prevent burnout

10 January,2021 06:24 AM IST |  New Delhi  |  Agencies

Despite their rock-hard determination to sustain the over 40-day-old agitation against the new farm laws, many protesting farmers at Delhi borders are falling prey to anxiety and depression, with a few having allegedly claimed their lives fighting this prolonged battle in biting cold

An elderly farmer receives treatment at a medical camp during farmers’ agitation against new farm laws, at Singhu border in Delhi. PIC/PTI


Despite their rock-hard determination to sustain the over 40-day-old agitation against the new farm laws, many protesting farmers at Delhi borders are falling prey to anxiety and depression, with a few having allegedly claimed their lives fighting this prolonged battle in biting cold.

Braving the elements and the odds stacked up against them, an overwhelming number of farmers have been protesting at Singhu Border and two other sites since November 26, but their "sedentary lifestyle" at present and "psychological sedimentation" is taking a toll on their physical and mental well-being.

According to NGOs running medical camps at the Singhu Border, the nerve centre of the massive agitation, these farmers are brave in their spirit, but some have become vulnerable, facing extreme weather and may be a "sense of waning hope" that have translated into suicides at times.

However, to ease their psychological burden, US-based NGO, United Sikhs, has started carrying out counselling sessions for farmers at their camp set up on the Haryana side of the protest site at Singhu Border.

"So many farmers have died during this agitation, some of them claimed their own lives. While they may have a strong determination, but the extreme cold and pent-up emotions, coupled with sedentary lifestyle at present as they are not going to fields, is making them psychologically vulnerable," said Sanya Kataria, a clinical psychologist and volunteer at the camp.

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