Nimrat Kaur: Well-being of frontline workers is critical

Nimrat Kaur. Pic/Yogen Shah

From Bhumi Pednekar kickstarting an online community to aid COVID-19 patients with resources, to Sonu Sood enabling free medical consultations, Bollywood celebrities are stepping up their efforts to lead India out of the clutches of the second wave. At a time when people are grappling with personal loss or dealing with anxiety due to the crumbling healthcare system, Nimrat Kaur has put the spotlight on the declining mental health of citizens. "All of us are dealing with different struggles. I speak to my friends and family, and every day, there are unfortunate incidents - economic and personal losses. In some ways, mental health is a priority in such times," she says.

The actor is working with volunteer groups to curate a list of mental health professionals who will help distressed citizens. Besides creating a network, she will oversee the daily progress of the aggrieved. Additionally, she will amplify mental health helplines through her social media handles. Kaur emphasises that little to no attention has been paid to the mental well-being of frontline workers, who have been putting up a brave front against the crisis since early 2020. "We need to stop and ask who is supporting our support system. Our frontline workers have shown such commitment. Senior doctors and medical personnel are at the breaking point. They are trained to save lives. When they can't do that, their sadness is unfathomable. Going through such [emotions] for a prolonged period can be deterring. Their mental well-being is critical in such times," she asserts.

It's, however, heartening to see empathy pouring in on social media. "No one is waiting for a miracle. People have rolled up sleeves and are out there helping each other. These are unprecedented times. Career and family plans lay stalled. This is all too much to deal with and people have taken on roles unexpected of them; which will help create a more empathetic world."