Mental Health Service Utilization by Referrals from a Helpline for Suicide Prevention in Mumbai, India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12970/2310-8231.2015.03.01.2Keywords:
Mental health, helpline, suicide, suicidal ideation, community mental health.Abstract
Background: Suicide is a global health problem which is highly underreported and under treated. Though suicide intervention helplines have been studied the pattern of utilization of a suicide helplines by those referred to the facility has not been studied.
Methodology: In the present study we have studied the pattern of utilization of a helpline in a community mental health clinic in the city of Mumbai. The study sample was patients who called the helpline and later attended the out patient facility of the clinic. Data was collected in semi-structured format and statistically analyzed using computer software.
Results: 15149 calls were received by the helpline. Of the 1391 patients reporting suicidal ideation (59.42%) only 718 opted for psychiatric evaluation. 18.3% of patients with suicidal ideas had a past suicidal attempt while 82.6% had a psychiatric diagnosis. Majority of patients were belonging to psychotic and mood disorder categories. Financial and educational stressors were reported as the main stressors leading to suicidal ideas.
Conclusions: A helpline offers definite advantage for patients with suicidal ideation to access mental health services. A helpline is an economical service that serves as a contact point to bring more people at an early stage to mental health care facilities.
References
Saddichha S, Prasad MN, Saxena MK. Attempted suicides in India: a comprehensive look. Archives of Suicide Research 2010; 14(1): 56-65. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13811110903479060
Patel V, Copeland J. The great push for mental health: why it matters for India. Indian Journal of Medical Research 2011; 134: 407-9.
Ratnayake R, Links PS, Eynan R. Suicidal behavior on subway systems: a review of the epidemiology. Journal of Urban Health 2007; 84(6): 766-81. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11524-007-9211-5
Sanchez-Cao E, Kramer T, Hodes M. Psychological distress and mental health service contact of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. Child Care Health and Development 2012; 7 June (E pub ahead of print).
Taylor TL, Hawton K, Fortune S, Kapur N. Attitudes towards clinical services amongst people who self harm: a systematic review. British Journal of Psychiatry 2009; 194: 104-10. http://dx.doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.107.046425
Owens C, Lloyd KR, Campbell J. Access to health care prior to suicide: findings from a psychological autopsy study. British Journal of General Practice 2004; 54(501): 279-81.
Mishara BL. Reconciling clinical experience with evidence based knowledge in suicide prevention policy and practice. Crisis 2008; 29(1): 1-3. http://dx.doi.org/10.1027/0227-5910.29.1.1
Chang B, Gitlin D, Patel R. The depressed patient and suicidal patient in the emergency department: evidence-based management and treatment strategies. Emergencies in Medical Practice 2011; 13(9): 1-23.
Coveney CM, Pollock K, Armstrong S, Moore J. Experiences of Contacting a National Suicide Prevention Helpline. Crisis 2012; 33(6): 1-12. http://dx.doi.org/10.1027/0227-5910/a000151
Shrivastava AK, Johnston ME, Stitt L, Thakar M, Sakel G, Iyer S, Shah N, Bureau Y. Reducing treatment delay for early intervention: evaluation of a community based crisis helpline. Annals of General Psychiatry 2012; 11(1): 20. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1744-859X-11-20
Boeke M, Griffin T, Reidenberg DJ. The physician's role in suicide prevention: lessons learned from a public awareness campaign. Minnerva Medicine 2011; 94(1): 44-6.
Joe S, Canetto SS, Romer D. Advancing preventive research on the role of culture in suicide prevention. Suicide & Life Threatening Behaviour 2008; 38(3): 354-62. http://dx.doi.org/10.1521/suli.2008.38.3.354
Shrivastava A, Johnston ME, Shah N, Innamorati M, Stitt L, Thakar M, Lester D, Pompili M. Persistent suicide risk in clinically improved schizophrenia patients: challenge of the suicidal dimension. Neuropsychiatric Diseases and Treatment 2010; 6: 633-8.
Chisholm D, Sekar K, Kumar KK, Saeed K, James S, Mubbashar M, Murthy RS. Integration of mental health care into primary care. Demonstration cost-outcome study in India and Pakistan. British Journal of Psychiatry 2000; 176: 581-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1192/bjp.176.6.581
Shrivastava A, Johnston ME, Bureau Y. Stigma of mental illness – 1: clinical references. Mens Sana Monographs 2012; 10(1): 70-84. http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/0973-1229.90181
Pompili M, Serafani G, Inamorati M, Lester D, Shrivastava A, Girardi P, Nordentof M. Suicide risk in first episode psychosis: a selective review of the current literature. Schizophrenia Research 2011; 29(1): 1-11. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.schres.2011.03.008
Gruere G, Sengupta D. Bt cotton and farmer suicides in India: an evidence based assessment. Journal of Developmental Studies 2011; 47(2): 316-37. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00220388.2010.492863
Lora A, Rivolta N, Lanzara D. Patient satisfaction with community based psychiatric services. International Journal of Mental Health 2003; 32(2): 32-48.
Chan LF, Maniam T, Shamsul AS. Suicide attempts among depressed inpatients with depressive disorder in a Malaysian sample: psychosocial and clinical risk factors. Crisis 2011; 32(5): 283-7. http://dx.doi.org/10.1027/0227-5910/a000088
Vijayakumar L, Umamaheshwari C, Shujaath Ali ZS, Devaraj P, Kesavan K. Intervention for suicide attempters: a randomized controlled study. Indian Journal of Psychiatry 2011; 53(3): 244-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/0019-5545.86817
Shrivastava A, Johnston ME, Bureau Y. Stigma of Mental Illness-2: Non-compliance and Intervention. Mens Sana Monographs 2012; 10(1): 85-97. http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/0973-1229.90276
