Suicidal ideation in callers to a crisis hotline in Mumbai,

Authors

Amresh Srivastava, University of Western OntarioFollow
Megan Johnston
Larry Stitt
Meghana Thanksr
Sunita Iyer
Nilesh Shah
David Lester

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

June 2013

Journal

Journal of Public Health and

Volume

5(6)

Issue

June 2013

Abstract

Suicidal ideation in callers to a crisis hotline in Mumbai, India Amresh K. Shrivastava1,2, Megan Johnston3, Larry Stitt4, Meghana Thakar5, Sunita Iyer6, Nilesh Shah7 and David Lester8* 1Silver Mind Hospital and Mental Health Foundation of India, (PRERANA Charitable Trust) Mumbai. 2Department of Psychiatry, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada. 3Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, 100 St. George St., Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5S 2M2. 4Biostatistical Support Unit, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada. 5Silver mind Hospital, Mumbai, Currently, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Practitioner, Lambeth CAMHS Early Intervention Team, South London and Maudsley NHS Trust. London, UK. 6PRERANA Counseling Centre, Mulund West, Mumbai. Mental Health Foundation of India, (PRERANA Charitable Trust) Mumbai. 7Department of Psychiatry, LTMG Hospital, University of Mumbai, Mumbai, India. 8The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, Galloway, NJ, USA. Accepted 10 June, 2013 Suicide is a worldwide public health problem. The stigma associated with suicide often deters people from seeking help. Although, helplines are not rated as very effective therapeutically, they offer an opportunity for intervention for people in crisis. The present study examined the characteristics of people attending an outpatient service after establishing an initial contact during an emotional crisis with a helpline in Mumbai, India. A total of 15,169 clients called the service during the first five years of operation, of whom 9.2% reported suicidal ideation. About half (51.6%) of the callers who were given a referral to the affiliated outpatient clinic kept their appointments. While 38% of the outpatient clients did not have an Axis I or Axis II psychiatric disorder, 25% were diagnosed with schizophrenia and 17% with depression. In addition, 13% had a personality disorder and 7% substance abuse disorders. Female clients more often reported stress arising from financial problems, conflict with their in-laws, and premarital relationships than did male clients; male clients more often reported stress arising from employment, loss of reputation, and education than did female clients. The availability of a 24/7 mental health helpline, staffed by mental health professionals with back-up support from an outpatient psychiatric facility, can enhance community mental health services. Some of the problems encountered were mentioned and needed improvements were discussed.