Human Well-Being and Pandemic Crisis: Implications for Social Work Practice from Kerala Experience
![](https://spaceandculture.in/public/journals/2/cover_issue_37_en_US.jpg)
Abstract
Nipah virus, the consecutive 2018 and 2019 floods, the internal social, economic, and political struggles have had a significant impact on the lives of people in Kerala, India. While the state of Kerala was trying to get back to some form of stability, Covid-19 slams into, in an unprecedented way, drastically disrupting the lives of many. It has shaken the interconnectedness and interdependence of families and placed communities in a state of fear, anxiety, and uncertainty. This article is about the vulnerabilities, experiences, voices, and untold stories of courage and resilience among people in Kerala. Authors present a reflective analysis of the multidimensional impact of Covid-19 on the ordinary lives of the people of Kerala.
The deleterious impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the entire humanity reckons the attention of governments, economists, educators, social scientists, medical and allied professionals, including social workers, to make concerted efforts to preserve and promote human well-being. Taking into consideration the structural inequalities in society, the present paper utilises a critical social work theoretical lens to analyse how it has impacted the well-being of people, especially the marginalised and vulnerable communities in Kerala.
Keywords
Wellbeing, COVID-19, Kerala, Professional Social work, Reflective analysis, Critical Perspectives in Social Work
Author Biography
Elsa Mary Jacob
Dr Elsa Mary Jacob is an academic in Social Work at Bharata Mata College, Kerala, India, with extensive experience of practice, teaching, research and training. Her experience in social work research is focused on intervention studies with adolescents and youth, and evaluation studies of progrmmes. Her practice experience in Child Welfare, Community Development, Women Empowerment, Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) alliance with white Ribbon Alliance India (WRAI) programme have contributed remarkably to the Social Work teaching. As a researcher Dr Jacob was one of the pioneers who initiated Bal Panchayat, and developed a model for working with disadvantaged youth in Kerala.
Arya Chandran L
Ms Arya Chandran L is Assistant Professor of Social Work at Bharata Mata College, India. She is young academician with extensive research experience in gender, inequality, marginal communities and public health. Her publications are mostly on health and education of tribal community in India. Her academic career envisions contributing to update the indigenous knowledge base of social work curriculum. She is currently working on her doctoral thesis on the gender aspects of fisherwomen’s health in the state of Kerala.
Dr.Abraham Francis
Dr. Abraham P. Francis is an Associate Professor, and currently the Head of Academic Group in Social Work and Human Services at James Cook University, Australia. Dr Francis is a research fellow at the department of social work, Stellenbosch University, South Africa and an Adjunct Faculty with Prasanna School of Public Health, MAHE, Manipal, India. In 2018, Dr Francis received the NAPASWI lifetime achievement for his outstanding contribution to Social Work Education.
References
- Addleman, M. (2020, April 20). COVID-19 social distancing having significant impacts on mental health, study shows. Medical Xpress, https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-04-covid-social-distancing-significant-impacts.html
- Amid lockdown, NCW receives 123 domestic violence complaints in 18 days. (2020, April 10). The Week. https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2020/04/10/amid-lockdown-ncw-receives-123-domestic-violence-complaints-in-18-days.html
- An estimated 12.2 crore Indian lost their jobs during corona virus lockdown in April: CMIE. (2020, May 7). The Hindu. https://www.thehindu.com/data/data-over-12-crore-indians-lost-their-jobs-during-the-coronavirus-lockdown-in-april/article31520715.ece
- Ani. (2020, April 11). Kerala farmers face issues in selling vishu produce 'cucumbers, watermelons' amid COVID-19 lockdown. The New Indian Express. https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2020/apr/11/kerala-farmers-face-issues-in-selling-vishu-produce-cucumbers-watermelons-amid-covid-19-lockdown-2128815.html
- Antony, T. (2020, May 12). Stress, stigma and sleep loss: COVID-19 takes a heavy toll on mental health. The New Indian Express. https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/2020/may/12/stress-stigma-and-sleep-loss-covid-19-takes-a-heavy-toll-on-mental-health-2142190.html
- Australian Association of Social Workers. (2010). Code of Ethics. https://www.aasw.asn.au/document/item/1201
- Babu, A., & Jose, S. (2019). Perspectives on Social Work Education and Professional Practice: The Kerala Scenario. International Journal of Management and Social Sciences, 9(2),151-156.
- Babu, R.(2020, May 7).First batch of Gulf evacuees will reach Kerala today. Hindustan Times. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/first-batch-of-gulf-evacuees-will-reach-kerala-today/story-wZkLO7OaUJeehjwdHmrxwI.html
- Balakrishnan,P. (2019, August 22). The ‘Kerala Model’ is unsuitable. The Hindu. https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-kerala-model-is-unsustainable/article29213883.ece
- CM focuses on economic growth. (2020, May 05). The Hindu. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/cm-focusses-on-economic-growth/article31505458.ece
- COVID-19: 1,608 new positive cases in Kerala, on Saturday, 803 recover. (2020, August,15).Onmanorama.https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2020/08/15/covid-19-cases-kerala-pinarayi-vijayan-health-shailaja-coronavirus.html
- C S, Shaijumon. (2020). COVID-19 and its Economic Impacts in Kerala. Kerala Calling, 40(6), 19-20
- Dave, S. (2020, March, 26). Covid-19: Companies rope in psychiatrists, experts for emotional counselling of work from home employee. The Economic Times. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/company/corporate-trends/covid-19-companies-rope-in-psychiatrists-experts-for-emotional-counselling-of-work-from-home-employees/articleshow/74819122.cms?from=mdr
- Dominelli, L. (2004). Social work: Theory and practice for a changing profession. Cambridge, ENG: Polity Press.
- Essentials not available Poonthura residents protest amid triple lockdown due to 'local transmission (2020, July 10). New Indian Express. https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2020/jul/10/essentials-not-available-poonthura-residents-protest-amid-triple-lockdown-due-to-local-transmissio-2167921.html
- Freire, P. (1970). Pedagogy of the oppressed. New York, NY: Herder & Herder.
- Ghabru, M. Devi, G. Rathod, N. (2016). Public distribution system in India: Key issues and challenges, Indian Journal of Economics and Development, 13 (4):747-754 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/321771115_Public_Distribution_System_in_India_Key_Issues_and_Challenges DOI: https://doi.org/10.5958/2322-0430.2017.00240.2
- Guest workers take out march in Kerala seeking arrangements to go home. (2020, April 30). The Federal. https://thefederal.com/states/south/kerala/guest-workers-take-out-march-in-kerala-seeking-arrangements-to-go-home/
- Herz, M., & Johansson, T. (2011). Critical social work – Considerations and suggestions. Critical Social Work, 12(1), 28-45.
- In a first, Kerala CM confirms community transmission of Covid-19. (2020, July 17). Hindustan Times. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/in-a-first-kerala-cm-confirms-community-transmission-of-covid-19/story
- Karindalam,V. (2020, July 3). ‘COVID-19 stigma’- A crisis that requires urgent cure, Times now.https://www.timesnownews.com/mirror-now/in-focus/article/covid-19-stigma-a-mental-health-crisis-that-requires-urgent-cure/615640
- Kerala: Counsellors witness spike in domestic violence cases. (2020, April 5). The Times of India. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/kerala-counsellors-witness-spike-in-domestic-violence-cases/articleshow/74992425.cms
- Krishna, Y. (2020, May 23). India's Kerala Is Combating COVID-19 Through Participatory Governance. IDN-Indepth News.https://www.indepthnews.net/index.php/sustainability/health-well-being/3563-india-s-kerala-is-combating-covid-19-through-participatory-governance
- Kumar, A. Mehta, B. Singh., Mehta, S., (2020, April 17). The link between lockdown, COVID-19, and domestic violence. India Development Review. https://idronline.org/the-link-between-lockdown-covid-19-and-domestic-violence/
- Kuttoor, R. (2020, March 28). Tribes, ignorant of COVID 19, briefed on perils. The Hindu. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/tribes-ignorant-of-covid-19-briefed-on-perils/article31194917.ece
- Kuttoor, R.(2020, June 3) e-learning lost on tribes in Pathanamthitta forests, The Hindu. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/e-learning-lost-on-tribes-in-pathanamthitta-forests/article31742906.ece
- Marques, Emanuele Souza, Moraes, Claudia Leite de, Hasselmann, Maria Helena, Deslandes, Suely Ferreira, & Reichenheim, Michael Eduardo. (2020, April 30). Violence against women, children, and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: overview, contributing factors, and mitigating measures. Cadernos de Saúde Pública, 36(4), e00074420. https://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0102-311x00074420 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/0102-311x00074420
- Matarrita-Cascante, D., & Trejos, B. (2013). Community resilience in Resource dependent communities: A comparative case study. Environment and Planning, A 45(6):1387-1402 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/271531451_Community_resilience_in_resource-dependent_communities_A_comparative_case_study#:~:text=2005) %20among % 20others.-,Resource%20dependent %20communities% 20have%20been %20 observed%20as%20communities%20whose%20primary, Cascante%20and %20 Trejos%2C%202013)%20.
- Morley, C. (2003). Towards Critical Social Work Practice in Mental Health. Journal of Progressive Human Services, 14(1), 61-84, https://ezproxy.tiss.edu:2102/doi/abs/10.1300/J059v14n01_05?src=recsys DOI: https://doi.org/10.1300/J059v14n01_05
- Nair, P. (2020, May 15). Putting Plans In Place To Rehabilitate Expats: Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Isaac. Outlook. https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-putting-plans-in-place-to-rehabilitate-expats-kerala-finance-minister-thomas-isaac/352827
- Nair, S. (2020, May 04). Tackling COVID-19 in Kerala: Hailed by patients and shunned by society, hospital staff recounts working on front-line. Firstpost. https://www.firstpost.com/health/tackling-covid-19-in-kerala-hailed-by-patients-and-shunned-by-society-hospital-staff-recounts-working-on-front-line-8285431.html
- Nazeer, S. (2020). Lockdown- A blessing in disguise. Kerala Calling, 40(6), 45-46
- NCBI Resources. (2013, December 18). Subjective Well-Being: Measuring Happiness, Suffering, and Other Dimensions of Experience. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK174473/
- New Economics Foundation (2012). Measuring Well-being: A guide for practitioners, London: New Economics Foundation.
- Nicola, M., Alsafi, Z., Sohrabi, C., Kerwan, A., Al-Jabir, A., Losifidis, C., Agha, M., Agha, R., (2020, April 17). The socio-economic implications of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19): A review. Elsevier Public Health Emergency Collection. 78: 185–193. doi: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2020.04.018 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsu.2020.04.018
- Praveen, S. (2020, July 10). Corona virus rumours fuel protest in Poonthura, Health Minister appeals for calm. The Hindu. https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Thiruvananthapuram/rumours-fuel-protests-in-poonthura-heath-minister-appeals-for-calm/article32042675.ece
- Pulla, V. (2017). Strengths-based approach in social work: A distinct ethical advantage. International Journal of Innovation, Creativity and Change, 3(2), 97-114.
- COVID-19: Taking heed from Kerala’s Mental Health Interventions. (2020, March 27). Science the Wire. https://science.thewire.in/health/covid-19-kerala-mental-health/
- Sebastian, S. (2020, April 3). COVID-19: Kerala grapples with alcoholism amid lockdown, ‘DownToEarth’, https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/health/covid-19-kerala-grapples-with-alcoholism-amid-lockdown-70202
- Shashikant, U. (2020, August 24). How corona virus pandemic changed the lives of working women. Economic Times. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/wealth/plan/how-the-coronavirus-pandemic-has-changed-the-lives-of-working-women/articleshow/77688497. cms?from=mdr
- Sher, L. (2020). The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on suicide rates, QJM: An International Journal of Medicine, https://academic.oup.com/qjmed/article/doi/10.1093/qjmed/hcaa202/5857612
- Solomon, S. and Greenberg, J. (2020, May 21). Coronavirus reminds you of death – and amplifies your core values, both bad and good. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/coronavirus-reminds-you-of-death-and-amplifies-your-core-values-both-bad-and-good-137588
- Stress, stigma and sleep loss: COVID-19 takes a heavy toll on mental health. (2020, May 12). The New Indian Express. https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/2020/may/12/stress-stigma-and-sleep-loss-covid-19-takes-a-heavy-toll-on-mental-health-2142190.html
- Sudhish,N. (2020, April 3). Health workers battle abuse and threats too. The Hindu. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/health-workers-battle-abuse-and-threats-too/article31252776.ece
- Thirunelly records its first tribal COVID positive case, official declaration soon. (2020, July 1) onmanorama. https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2020/07/01/first-tribal-covid-positive-case-wayanad-kerala.html
- Thorpe, R. (2014). Introduction to areas of Social Work practice in mental health. In A. P. Francis (Ed.), Social Work in mental health: Areas of practice, challenges and way forward (pp. 3-8). Sage publications.
- Total lockdown in Kerala amid Coronavirus crisis, all borders sealed, public transport to not operate. (2020, March 23). India TV News Desk. https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/coronavirus-kerala-total-lockdown-borders-sealed-public-transport-600803
- Unnithan, G. (2020, January 30). Kerala reports first confirmed coronavirus case in India. India Today. https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/kerala-reports-first-confirmed-novel-coronavirus-case-in-india-1641593-2020-01-30
- World Health Organization (WHO). (2018). Mental health: strengthening our response. https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response
- World Health Organization. (2020 May 22). COVID-19 strategic preparedness and response plan operational planning guidelines to support country preparedness and reponse. file:///Users/Arya/Downloads/covid-19-sprp-operational-planning-guidelines-to-support-country-preparedness-and-response-(22may20)%20(1).pdf