Alarming rise in people seeking mental health treatment in Odisha

express news service

BHUBANESWAR: In what could be called a wake-up call for Odisha, there has been an alarming rise in cases of mental health disorders in the state. In addition to the increase in suicide deaths, disorders such as anxiety, depression and substance use have increased since the Covid-19 pandemic.

AIIMS-Bhubaneswar has almost doubled the number of cases in the last two years. The head of the Department of Psychiatry, Dr BR Mishra, said the number of people visiting the OPD for mental health consultations has skyrocketed to 120 a day now from 60 to 65 in 2019. The main hospital has treated more than 20,000 cases in the last two years.

According to a recent study on patients visiting the hospital, mostly young people, adolescents and students are victims of mental disorders. “Although middle-aged patients are more in terms of absolute numbers, the prevalence is high in the age group of 15 to 30 years. Family disputes, relationship problems, work, marital discord and substance use are the reasons behind the increase in the post-pandemic era,” Dr. Mishra said.

Data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) showed that the suicide rate also increased during the period and is above the national average of 12 (number of people committing suicide in a one lakh population). As many as 5,651 people took their own lives in 2021 in Odisha compared to 5,546 in 2020 and 4,582 in 2019. While suicide cases in the state increased by around 24 percent in two years, the suicide rate increased from 10.5 percent percent in 2019. to 12.5 percent in 2021.

Odisha topped the list of states with the highest number of suicides due to family problems. Of the 5,651 suicide deaths in 2021, suicides due to family problems accounted for 71.4% (4,033) last year.
In addition to hospitals, people approaching private organizations for mental health issues have also seen an increase in recent times. Mental health experts believe that serious mental disorders such as schizophrenia remain underreported due to the stigma attached. However, despite the increased reporting of other disorders, the treatment gap remains huge in the state.

“People tend to take extreme measures after the failure of coping resources when the situation is overwhelming. They find suicide as a method of escape. The family has an important role to play in identifying behavioral changes. Raising awareness is imperative and people with mental illness should be encouraged to seek help from professionals to keep the stigma aside,” added Dr. Mishra.

mental concern

• Suicides, anxiety, depression and substance use have increased in the State
• People visiting AIIMS, Bhubaneswar OPD for mental health consultations have skyrocketed to 120 daily
• Suicide cases increased by about 24% in two years

5,651 people took their own lives in 2021 in Odisha

</p> <p>BHUBANESWAR: In what could be called a wake-up call for Odisha, there has been an alarming rise in cases of mental health disorders in the state. In addition to the increase in suicide deaths, disorders such as anxiety, depression and substance use have increased since the Covid-19 pandemic. AIIMS-Bhubaneswar has almost doubled the number of cases in the last two years. The head of the Department of Psychiatry, Dr BR Mishra, said the number of people visiting the OPD for mental health consultations has skyrocketed to 120 a day now from 60 to 65 in 2019. The main hospital has treated more than 20,000 cases in the last two years. According to a recent study on patients visiting the hospital, mostly young people, adolescents and students are victims of mental disorders. “Although middle-aged patients are more in terms of absolute numbers, the prevalence is high in the age group of 15 to 30 years. Family disputes, relationship problems, work, marital discord and substance use are the reasons behind the increase in the post-pandemic era,” Dr. Mishra said. Data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) showed that the suicide rate also increased during the period and is above the national average of 12 (number of people committing suicide in a one lakh population). As many as 5,651 people took their own lives in 2021 in Odisha compared to 5,546 in 2020 and 4,582 in 2019. While suicide cases in the state increased by around 24 percent in two years, the suicide rate increased from 10.5 percent percent in 2019. to 12.5 percent in 2021. Odisha topped the list of states with the highest number of suicides due to family problems. Of the 5,651 suicide deaths in 2021, suicides due to family problems accounted for 71.4% (4,033) last year. In addition to hospitals, people approaching private organizations for mental health issues have also seen an increase in recent times. Mental health experts believe that serious mental disorders such as schizophrenia remain underreported due to the stigma attached. However, despite the increased reporting of other disorders, the treatment gap remains huge in the state. “People tend to take extreme measures after the failure of coping resources when the situation is overwhelming. They find suicide as a method of escape. The family has an important role to play in identifying behavioral changes. Raising awareness is imperative and people with mental illness should be encouraged to seek help from professionals to keep the stigma aside,” added Dr. Mishra. Mental concern Suicides, anxiety, depression and substance use have increased in the state People visiting AIIMS, Bhubaneswar OPD for mental health consultations have skyrocketed to 120 a day Suicide cases increased by around 24 per cent in two years 5651 people took their own lives in 2021 in Odisha<br />