Mumbai: Mental well being associated deaths in Maharashtra have been rising since 2019, in keeping with knowledge with the state well being division. The variety of deaths in 2019 was 26, whereas in 2022, the quantity stood at 1073.

All 26 deaths in 2019 had been attributable to schizophrenia and delusional problems. But in subsequent years, psychological and behavioural problems attributable to psychoactive substance use constituted a significant purpose for loss of life. Out of 1171 deaths in 2020, 530 had been associated to psychoactive substance use. In 2021, 740 out of 1190 deaths had been associated to psychoactive substance use, whereas in 2022, 636 out of 1073 deaths had been associated to psychoactive substance use.

Dr Swapnil Lale, assistant director, well being companies stated the state has determined to step-up psychological well being companies by embracing a three-level strategy – strengthening psychological well being companies at district hospitals, coaching MBBS docs at main healthcare centres (PHCs) to conduct psychiatric evaluations, and offering free psychological well being companies by way of tele-MANAS.

“We have set up mental health services in all 36 district hospitals, wherein each district hospital has a psychiatrist, a social worker, a clinical psychologist and a nurse trained in psychiatry. Their job is to undertake outreach services in various community health centres, rural hospitals, and sub-district hospitals,” stated Dr Lale.

These groups additionally practice MBBS docs at PHCs for psychiatric evaluations. “This is to diagnose common psychiatric illnesses like anxiety and depression. The focus is on common and mild psychiatric illnesses with the aim of improving productivity. Out of 1930 PHCs, we have converted 1670 PHCs into MahaShakti clinics,” stated Dr Lale.

He acknowledged that that they had accomplished greater than 30,000 distinctive calls until date.

“It is a specialised psychiatric teleconsultation service launched last year and we are proud to be the second in the country in terms of number of calls,” he stated.

The state well being division can also be planning to begin assisted residence companies for psychological well being.

“We have submitted a proposal to the centre and are awaiting budget clearance. We felt the need to have assisted home services for mental health as after going home, many need home services. We will be involving the PHCs, community health workers, auxiliary nurses, and doctors who will be visiting homes for follow-ups,” stated Dr Lale.

Dr Avinash Desousa, former president of Bombay Psychiatric Society (BPS) stated it’s good that the state has bifurcated the psychological well being associated deaths.

“It is never the psychiatric condition per say that is a cause of death. I can’t say someone died of schizophrenia but it is generally the neglect of self that happens which leads to the death scenario,” he stated.

Appreciating the steps taken by the state authorities on psychological well being points, Dr Desousa stated they’ve been proactive. “Mental health cases have gone up over the last few years. We need enough healthcare professionals in private and public health care,” he stated.

The well being division can also be upgrading the psychological well being hospital in Thane.

“The state government recently sanctioned two new mental health hospitals – one in Kolhapur and another in Jalna. It also approved renovating and upgrading the Thane Mental Hospital, which was in a dilapidated state,” stated Dr Lale.

Maharashtra has 4 psychological hospitals out of which Thane is the second largest with 1850 beds – 1,050 for males and 800 for ladies. All 4 hospitals had been constructed within the pre-independence period. Dr Lale stated it might take 4-5 years to finish the renovation work.

“The renovated mental hospital at Thane will have 3000 beds and it will be on the lines of NIMHANS. We are planning to have an academic block too and start an MPhil course in clinical psychology. The academic block will benefit all the departments of psychiatrists of the five medical colleges in Mumbai too,” he stated.

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