"THE MENTAL HEALTH FALLOUT OF COVID-19 REVERSE MIGRATION: EXPLORING PERCEPTIONS OF MIGRANTS FROM RURAL REGIONS OF LUCKNOW.”

Abstract

Purpose:The research focuses on a critical effect of COVID 19: mental and socio-economic toll on migrants and vulnerable individuals, including stress and depression and job loss. The study emphasises the necessity for better mental health services as well as other policies that are accustom with handling of these characteristics thus eradicating long term impact..

Design/methodology/approach:This study employs systematic review with quantitative analysis. The literature was scanned for years 2022 – 2024. By analysisng the findings and kew words gap in research was identified. Based on that objective and hypothesis was framed

Findings:Housing displacement, unemployment, and uncertainty imitate immigrants’ psychological dimensions such as identity crises and depression. Disconnect from ancestral occupations/ roles and perceived discrimination leads to disappointment and resentment towards government as the mental health interventions should reflect.

Research limitations/implications: The study details the worrisome mental and socio-economic losses due to COVID-19 for the migrants and enhances the corpus on migration and mental health while calling for future research on long-term ramifications along with further widening of inequalities.Government authorities are called to increase the level of mental health assistance as well as social protection for migrants that impacts employment, wages, and social distancing and create stategies for future shocks.

Originality/value: This study uniquely addresses COVID-19's psychological and socio-economic impact on migrants, filling gaps in existing research and emphasizing the need for targeted mental health support and policy development in a specific region in India