The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Plan to provide emergency services to the mentally ill

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Oct 20, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Plan to provide emergency services to the mentally ill

Sahana Charan

Family members find themselves left high and dry in times of crisis, thanks to stigma

Lack of a support system for the family of the mentally ill is an obstacle
There are no dedicated emergency services for persons with mental illness

Bangalore: For persons with mental illness, emergency medical service is a right they do not often have. Lack of a support system for the family of the mentally ill is also an obstacle in reaching timely help to the mentally ill.

To address these issues, the State Mental Health Authority and the Office of the Commissioner for Disabilities have proposed to the State Government to introduce exclusive emergency services for the mentally ill to transport them to hospitals when they need immediate medical care and to facilitate the creating of family support networks.

“In meetings that we had with stakeholders including voluntary organisations, mental health professionals and the police, we found that there are no dedicated emergency services for the persons with mental illness. In a crisis situation it becomes difficult for family members to transport the patient to a hospital. We are proposing amending of rules under the Mental Health Act so that such services are provided on a mandatory basis,” said H. Chandrashekhar, Secretary, State Mental Health Authority. One of the major impediments in transporting a mentally ill person to a hospital during an emergency is the confusion about who will accompany the person and refusal of patient by a hospital or by a mental health professional to examine the patient.

“The Act authorises the police to accompany the patient who is being taken against his will. The person has to be produced before a magistrate within 24 hours and then two psychiatrists have to independently look at the patient. There are apprehensions among both relatives and doctors that they may end up on the wrong side of the law if they accompany or examine a severely disturbed patient, brought to the hospital against his will,” Dr. Chandrashekhar said.

He added that there have been incidents in the past where a patient who was admitted to a hospital by relatives in a disturbed state, filed cases against relatives and doctors after completing treatment, claiming that they wanted to usurp property and money. “We have also proposed that the rules should be amended to include certain safeguards for the mental health professionals and immediate family members against such action,” Dr. Chandrashekhar said.

Nirmala Srinivasan, an activist working with the mentally ill, said owing to the stigma associated with the mentally ill, especially in an urban and high-achieving society like in Bangalore, family members do not seek help from members of the community and are often stranded during a crisis. Emergency vehicles which are discreet can be a boon.

The Rotary Club of Bangalore West and Amend, a family support group for mentally ill, have come forward to donate an exclusive ambulance for mentally ill persons.

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