People with disabilities in India have been hit hardest by the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic and the consequent lockdown, the severity of the impact has reduced the incomes for a majority to ‘zero’ as per a recent survey.
As per the nationwide survey, nearly 64% of people with disabilities say they are facing financial problems, and nearly 60% have zero income in these trying times. It also showed that a significant number of people with disabilities have lost jobs or are incurring losses in business.
The survey of over 2,000 people with disabilities, conducted between July 18-27 2020 by EVARA Foundation, Dashamlav YouTube Channel, and WeCapable.com, also revealed that the pandemic has not just adversely affected the daily lives and psychological state of the people with disabilities.
Nearly 75 per are facing emotional challenges ranging from anxiety to depression and suicidal thoughts. Data also reveals that nearly 43.6 percent of the total respondents of the present survey are not sharing their problems or emotional state with anyone.
The survey also reveals that a large number of job-seeking PwD were shattered because of the cancellation or postponement of the exams/interviews. A significant number of respondents have said that they are not getting necessities like food/shelter/medicine during these times.
“More than 75% of respondents stated that their emotional state lies between anxiety and suicidal thoughts. Suicidal thoughts are twice more prevalent in males than females. Data analysis provides hints that financial loss faced by the respondents have had an impact on their mental health.
“More than 78% of respondents who are experiencing financial loss are also experiencing a range of mental health-related issues. Out of a total of 868, 44% of respondents have marked anxiety, fear, or sadness. More serious mental health issues have been observed in the remaining 34%, out of which, nearly 12.09 percent of respondents feel suicidal,” the survey found, as per news reports.
