Citation

Chavan BS, Garg R, Bhargava R. Indian J. Med. Sci. 2012; 66(5-6): 116-125.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry, Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh, India.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Indian Journal of Medical Sciences Trust, Publisher Medknow Publications)

DOI

10.4103/0019-5359.114196

PMID

23806984

Abstract

Background:  A large number of persons with psychiatric disorders are not seeking treatment due to various reasons, thus contributing to the huge treatment gap. One of the ways to bring these people into treatment is through telephonic helplines. Materials and Methods:  Following a large number of suicides in the city of Chandigarh in 2003, The department of Psychiatry, GMCH, Chandigarh was designated as nodal center for the prevention of suicide. A 24-hour suicide prevention helpline was set up as an immediate measure to help persons in crisis. Apart from providing telephonic counseling to persons in crisis, the helpline coordinated with police, media, schools, radio stations etc., to reduce the number of suicides in the city. Results:  Majority of the callers were males (65.93%), between 20 to 39 years old (56.34%), married (79.50%), had less than 12 years of formal education (60.68%), and were earning less than Rs. 5000/month (56.80%). 72.96% callers had contacted the mental health services for the first time. A significant number of persons (434, 13.26%) called the helpline for marital, academic, stress-related problems. Majority of the calls were received between 8 A.M. and 2 P.M. The number of suicides in the city of Chandigarh showed a decline in the following years since the helpline was set up. Conclusions:  The telephonic helpline seems to be a very effective way of getting persons into contact with health services. They are cost-effective, the person can maintain his confidentiality and devoid of stigma.

Language: en