Pulwama 24 April (KNS):District Administration's initiative SUKOON to treat and counsel patients with pre existing mental health problems such as anxiety , depression , bipolar disorders, OCD , paranoia etc witnessed a huge flow of calls for Tele - Psychiatry consultations.
District Magistrate Dr . Raghav Langer while taking a review of the functioning of Helpline said that the people who have had mental health problems may be at greater risk if unable to take simple precautions or unable to seek timely consultations.
In this regard the helpline has proved effective in the management of people suffering from severe mental illnesses .
He said Tele - Psychiatry clinics are playing in vital role in enhancing motivation and dispelling fear in COVID crises.
During the pandemic hundreds have been comforted by giving reassuring that pandemic crisis is real and non permanent ; which can only be averted by cultivating hope.
DM urged upon the people to take benefit of the initiative , easily ,accessible to people.
He added that around 2746 counselling and treatment sessions through audio , video calls and Whatsapp messaging have been completed so far.
DM added that the District Mental Health Team is also rolling out a questionnaire to self assess the level of anxiety among people in the current pandemic and team shall infer whether any active intervention is needed not.
Consultant at District Mental Health centre Pulwama said "that in current pandemic District Mental Health Center Pulwama played it's role in form of providing counseling and mental health care to people in isolation and quarantine. In addition, we tried our best not to affect the care of our mental health service recipients by being available to them online and over phone and providing advice and treatment.
Further, we managed mental health emergencies at District Hospital Pulwama and provided services without interruption for patients registered in "Long Acting Antipsychotic Clinic".
Timely mental health response in District Pulwama was innovative and one of the earliest in whole country."
He further added that scores of people feeling ostracised after being discharged from quarantine centres are being continuously counselled and rehabilitated successfully
District Mental Health (DMHC) centre includes a team of professionals which includes Dr .Majid , consultant psychiatrist, Dr Umer ,a medical officer, Altaf, clinical psychologist, Nadia, psychiatric social worker, Saima, community psychiatric nurse, Shereena, record keeper and Naveed Raina, programme Manager DMHP. DMHC team is supported by Azharuddin, counselor NCD and Hassanain, clinical psychologist DEIC.
The team appeals people to feel free in having Tele-Psychiatric consultations on the nos : 01933240205,9596049186,9149864070.(Monday to Friday)(KNS)