Hindustan
Times: Mumbai: Sunday, October 06, 2019
According
to a Right to Information (RTI) filed by activist Shakeel Ahmed Shaikh, between
2008 and 2016, Mumbai recorded 10,657 suicide cases, where most were in the age
group of 25-40 years
Despite
having almost half-a-dozen helpline numbers, Mumbai has only one 24-hour mental
healthcare helpline number for a population of over 12 million.
The
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) started a helpline number ‘Hitguj’
(24131212) in 2013, which is maintained by the psychiatric department of KEM
hospital and functions 24x7.
However,
the other numbers do not function during the night, which according to
psychiatrists, is the most vulnerable time for patients suffering from mental
health issues.
BMC’s
helpline number, too, receives a third of its calls during the night.
Between
2008 and 2016, Mumbai recorded 10,657 suicide cases, where most were in the age
group of 25-40 years, according to a Right to Information (RTI) filed by
activist Shakeel Ahmed Shaikh.
Psychiatrists
have now addressed the need for more 24x7 helpline numbers which will help save
more lives.
Dr
Milan Balakrishnan, Consultant Psychiatrist and Secretary of Bombay Psychiatric
Society, said, “People suffering from any mental illness often shy away from
consulting psychiatrists. But they often prefer talking to people on the phone
through these helpline numbers. It may not help cure a depressed patient
completely, but it is the first step.”
Since
the inception of Hitguj, the number of calls has risen by 20% in the past five
years. This year, until October 4, the helpline received 4,892 calls, as
opposed to 3,835 calls in 2015. This helpline is managed by trained
psychologists in three shifts and records over 30% calls in the night which
continues till dawn.
Dr
Amey Angane, assistant professor of the psychiatric department, KEM, said, “We
get the highest number of calls about relationships, domestic violence, and
homosexuality among others. Almost 25% callers have suicidal tendencies. These
calls are most common late in the night.”
He
said, in the morning, people are usually busy with work, studies or domestic
chores. “However, when things fall silent in the night, it instigates their
thoughts which often triggers panic attacks.”
Dr
Harish Shetty, city-based psychiatrist, too said there is need for more 24x7
helpline numbers. “If you go by the official records, over 65% of suicides are
committed by men who remain busy at work till evening. So, if they need mental
support, they would call at night. In a country where there are no rules and
regulations to curb suicide cases, this is the least we can do.”
Meanwhile,
Sunitha Ramachandran, senior volunteer of suicide helpline number Samaritans,
said that arranging financial support and manpower are the main hurdles in
running helplines round the clock. “We know that running the helpline at night
is necessary, but it needs more volunteers. We run with the help of volunteers
who manage time to talk to the callers in these six hours. So, if more people
come forward, we would certainly extend the timing,” Ramachandran said.