What We Learnt This Ramadan

With the last few days of Ramadan left, let’s share what we have learnt this month with regard to COVID-19 and mental health disorders and stigma during this time. Every year, millions of people fast from sunrise to sunset as their religious duty. They believe, and science also proves, that fasting for a month has a positive impact on physical health and also improves mental well-being.

What impact does it have on mental health?

ReliveNow’s Free Virtual Clinic has seen a rise in people concerned about their safety in this

pandemic. Many state the insensitivity of the people around them to be the reason behind their rising anxiety and depression. People with already underlying mental health issues have aggravated conditions, while new cases of anxiety, OCD, and eating disorders are on the rise. As a nation, it is up to us to stand together as a nation for the prevention of new COVID-19 cases. Even if going to the market is a necessity, we must follow strict safety measures.

Eating disorders were previously one of the biggest issues to tackle in Ramadan. This Ramadan we also see a rise in cases of eating disorders alongside depression because of the restlessness that many people are experiencing. No one knows when the pandemic will end and we can go back to leading normal lives. The masses need to understand that their actions can have negative consequences for themselves and also others around them, physically as well as mentally.