Mental health services vital to overcome trauma

KEM Hospital. File Photo

Reports stated that at least four municipal hospitals in Mumbai are ready to provide mental health services to those injured in the Pahalgam terror attack and their kin to tide them over trauma. The hospitals are Nair, KEM, Sion and Cooper. The services include counselling, assessment of acute stress and screening for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The BMC stated that medication and hospitalisation will be provided if needed. Emergency counselling and medication for stress, insomnia, restlessness and flashbacks of the incident will also be available. Most importantly, a suicide prevention helpline, will also be operational. Trained counsellors will assess mental health symptoms and refer patients to the hospital if needed.

This is heartening at the outset, as we realise that official agencies are recognising that mental health is a real subject, and needs to be tackled at a medical level if need be. At times, people suffering from trauma or PTSD or other problems are told they do not need medical treatment. They are told time will heal their problem, to find a hobby or a distraction and the situation will improve or simply fade away.

This is an inane way to tackle mental health issues. These services are an acknowledgement that we have turned a corner when it comes to mental health, it is huge acknowledgement of mental health running parallel to physical well-being. While welcoming that the Kashmir tourists directly affected by the terror attack have access to counselling, one has to caution that mental health problems do take time to resolve.

The counselling option must be consistent and long-term. Medication must be taken if recommended. Patients do not ‘go off' the recovery route on their own. Stick with it, professionals and experts, doctors continue to be accessible to ensure recovery.