Bhavika Jain 24-Dec-2012 MUMBAI: The BMC's 24x7 mental health helpline will be operational from January. The helpline is aimed at counselling patients. It will also refer patients requiring medical help to civic hospitals. In 2010, the BMC had announced that it will launch the 'Life is Beautiful' helpline; however, the plan never took off due to administrative delay. But now, with the rising number of mental health cases, the plan has been revived. Head of psychiatry department at KEM hospital Dr Shubhangi Parkar will head the project and is finalizing the details. Additional municipal commissioner Manisha Mhaiskar said counsellors will be hired to work in three shifts. The helpline will also be linked to the police control room, so that cops can be informed in case of an emergency. "We will target those in the vulnerable category and conduct seminars for them. We have planned 24 seminars in the next year," said Mhaiskar. The proposal has got an approval from civic chief Sitaram Kunte and the toll-free number is being finalized. According to statistics, while one out of five people need counselling at least once in their lives, about 6% need medications. Statistics further show that 20% Indians need counselling at some point of their lives. One per cent of the population suffers from serious mental health disorders, while 5%-10% Indians suffer from moderate disorders.Prevalence of mental health issues ranges from 10 to as many as 370 people per 1,000 in various parts of the country. "With the city going through a sea of change, increasing competition in school, colleges and workplace is taking a toll on people, especially the youth, and hence the number of people going through stress has also increased," said a senior civic doctor. With the cases of mental illness and related crime increasing considerably and 24X7 helpline will assume more importance. The civic body had announced in 2010 a 'life is beautiful' helpline, but due to administrative delay the plan never took up. But now with the number of cases increasing the BMC has revived the plan and the helpline will operational from January. Dr Shubhangi Parkar, head of psychiatry department at KEM hospital is heading the project and is working to finalise the details.. Additional Municipal Commissioner, Manisha Mhaiskar, said that they are going to hire counsellors to work in three shifts. The helpline will also be linked to the police control room, so that in case of an emergency the local police can be informed soon. "We are also planning to track vulnerable categories like patients at the TB hospital, victims of domestic violence, and executives under stress, students writing their board exams and conduct seminars for them. 24 such seminars are being planned in the next year," said Mhaiskar. Municipal Commissioner Sitaram Kunte has approved the proposal and, the toll free number is being finalised. According to data, one out of five people need counselling at least once in their lives. About 6% of people need medications for mental health problems. According to the government's statistics, 20% of Indians need counselling at some point of their lives. One per cent of the population suffers from serious mental health disorders, while 5-10% of Indians suffer from moderate disorders. Prevalence of mental health issues ranges from 10 to as many as 370 people per every 1,000 population in various parts of the country. "With the city going through a sea of change, increasing competition in school, colleges and workplace is taking a toll on the mental peace of the people especially youth and hence the number of people going through stress has also increased," said a senior civic doctor. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/24x7-mental-health-helpline-from-January-in-Mumbai/articleshow/17736229.cms
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