Amid rising suicide cases, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to implement a new mental health initiative in April.
In this initiative, the civic body will roll out in 191 civic dispensaries. It will be part of the state government’s District Mental Health Programme under the National Health Mission.
Around 350 doctors attached to the public health department of BMC have undergone a month-long training to identify signs of mental health issues in patients and provide the necessary help.
BMC officer highlighted the need for such an initiative as incidence of suicides is increasing in the city. The stress of exams among children is well-known and there are many interpersonal stressors that people need help with.
To further assist patients, BMC has appointed two psychiatrists who will help implement the mental health programme. Referring patients who need further help or psychiatric intervention to its tertiary care hospitals such as KEM Hospital (Parel), LTMG Sion Hospital, BYL Nair Hospital (Mumbai Central), and RN Cooper Hospital (Vile Parle) is also part of the programme’s plan.
The training involved one online module conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences (NIMHANS), in addition to modules conducted by state health officials and psychiatrists from BMC’s super-specialty hospitals.
A civic official said the state made it mandatory to establish 'manashakti' clinics at primary healthcare level.
The state health department's 'tele-manus' helpline will also be extended to Mumbai and provide information about psychiatric and counselling aid. Each civic dispensary will prominently display banners mentioning the 'tele-manus' number (14416).
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