Latest news with #IMH
Time of India
15 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
Patient numbers up 1300% in 5 yrs at city drug treatment clinic
Hyderabad: Fresh data tabled in the Lok Sabha has thrown up a shocking 1300% jump in patient footfall at Hyderabad's drug treatment clinic (DTC) over the last five years. According to records submitted by the ministry of home affairs on July 22, the DTC at the city's Institute of Mental Health (IMH) saw the number of patients go up from 701 in 2020–21 to 9,832 in 2024–25 (up to Jan). It is the sharpest spike across all such major centres in India. In 2024-25, the clinic received 2,692 new registrations, a fourfold jump from 645 recorded in its first year. According to doctors at IMH, most patients visiting the clinic are addicted to alcohol, adulterated toddy and cannabis. The Hyderabad facility was set up in 2020. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad "On an average, at least 30 patients come to the drug clinic every day. In a month, we easily record over 600 cases," said Dr K Phanikanth, who heads the clinic at IMH. He added: "Recently, when the excise department conducted raids at toddy shops, there was an influx of patients with withdrawal symptoms. Our daily caseload went up to about 100." Doctors and de-addiction experts attribute this astronomical rise to multiple factors — easy availability and affordability of drugs, increased anxiety and stress post pandemic and presence of a dedicated treatment facility that patients can go to. Stricter enforcement by the Anti-Narcotics Bureau making counselling mandatory under NDPS Act and growing awareness about substance abuse are also factors pushing the numbers up, they said. "In fact, what this data indicates is just the tip of the iceberg," said K Devika Rani, a de-addiction expert. She added: "The problem of substance abuse is much deeper. Thousands of people, especially youngsters, are hooked to drugs like cocaine, LSD, MDMA along with cannabis and alcohol. The addiction is so severe that weaning them off is a near impossibility." Set up with the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, as the nodal centre, DTCs run under govt-supported de-addiction programmes. They treat people, above the age of 18 and dealing with various addictions, as outpatients who are given anti-craving medication and psychological counselling. While two DTCs, in Dibrugarh (Assam) and Agra (UP), saw a higher percentage rise in patient count compared to Hyderabad (1788% and 1400% respectively), absolute numbers in both these clinics were lower. While Assam's numbers went up from 25 in 2021–22 to 472 in 2024–25, in the case of Agra, it increased from 16 to 240 during the said period. Currently, India has 25 DTCs. The data also sheds light on illicit cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis destroyed across the country. In 2024, a total of 22,512 acres of poppy cultivation and 34,018 acres of cannabis were destroyed. Of this, eight acres were in Telangana.
Time of India
16 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
Patient numbers up 1,300% in 5 yrs at Hyderabad drug treatment clinic
Representational Image HYDERABAD: It's a high on a major leap. Fresh data tabled in Lok Sabha has thrown up a shocking 1300% jump in footfall over the last five years at Hyderabad's drug treatment clinic (DTC). According to records submitted by the ministry of home affairs on July 22, the DTC at the city's Institute of Mental Health (IMH) saw the number of patients go up from 701 in 2020-21 to 9,832 in 2024-25 (up to Jan). It is the sharpest spike across all such major centres in India. According to doctors at IMH, most patients visiting the clinic are addicted to alcohol, adulterated toddy and cannabis. The Hyderabad facility was set up in 2020. "On an average, at least 30 patients come to the drug clinic every day. In a month, we easily record over 600 cases," said K Phanikanth, who heads the clinic at IMH. He added: "Recently, when the excise department conducted raids at toddy shops, there was an influx of patients with withdrawal symptoms. Our daily caseload went up to about 100." Doctors and de-addiction experts attribute this astronomical rise to multiple factors - easy availability and affordability of drugs, increased anxiety and stress post pandemic and presence of a dedicated treatment facility that patients can go to. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Stricter enforcement by the Anti-Narcotics Bureau making counselling mandatory under NDPS Act and growing awareness about substance abuse are also factors pushing the numbers up, they said. "In fact, what this data indicates is just the tip of the iceberg," said K Devika Rani, a de-addiction expert. She added: "The problem of substance abuse is deeper. Thousands of people, especially youngsters, are hooked to drugs like cocaine, LSD, MDMA along with cannabis and alcohol. The addiction is so severe that weaning them off is a near impossibility." Set up with the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, as the nodal centre, DTCs run under govt-supported de-addiction programmes. They treat people, above the age of 18 and dealing with various addictions, as outpatients who are given anti-craving medication and psychological counselling. While two DTCs, in Dibrugarh (Assam) and Agra (UP), saw a higher percentage rise in patient count compared to Hyderabad (1788% and 1400% respectively), absolute numbers in both these clinics were lower. While Assam's numbers went up from 25 in 2021-22 to 472 in 2024-25, in the case of Agra, it increased from 16 to 240 during the said period. Currently, India has 25 DTCs.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Suicide helplines choke with over 60% jump in calls from betting addicts
Hyderabad: Distress calls from youngsters hooked to online betting are choking suicide prevention helplines in Hyderabad. Counsellors report an over 60% spike in numbers in the last six months – compared to previous years – the majority of them being recorded during the IPL season, stretching from March to May 2025. In the last one year, local police registered about 80 cases involving online betting and gambling apart from 20 suicides. According to city-based suicide prevention service, Roshini Foundation, the jump in caller count this year is about 65% when compared to 2023. "Also, in 2023, 22% of all distress calls were related to online betting. In the first quarter of 2025, this figure stood at 36.5% with cricketing events like the Indian Premier League (IPL) triggering spikes," said Swarna Raju, director of Roshini. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad The average age of these callers' ranges between 20 years and 40 years, say counsellors. This includes students, salaried employees and businessmen, among others. The majority report losing money – from a few thousand to a few lakh – within minutes. "We used to receive about 80 to 100 calls every month from those addicted to online betting when the IPL season was on. Now, the average is around 10 a month," said Tekmal Sreekar Reddy, director of 1Life, another suicide prevention helpline. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top 15 Most Beautiful Women in the World Undo He emphasised how the share of calls related to online betting losses has grown. "Of all calls that we received last quarter, about 20% were from those in financial distress — nearly 60% of them stemmed from online betting losses," he added. Even at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), Erragadda, there has been enrolment of patients — young men around 25 to 30 years old — addicted to online betting and gambling. "This trend has grown due to the easy availability of more mobile apps," Dr Vivaswan Boorla, senior psychiatrist, IMH, said. He added: "After a few initial wins, youngsters start chasing big rewards. This is fuelled by celebrities and social media influencers who promote such betting apps. While clinically we consider it as an addictive illness, for patients, it is just another way of earning money. They do not consider it wrong," he added. Counsellors say that addicts reach out to helplines when they lose big money and are "overwhelmed with shame and isolation". "They feel that they have reached a point of no return and fear facing their families. That's why they contemplate suicide," explained Reddy. Individual mental health professionals also admit to recording alarming patterns among online betting addicts. "I have seen a 10% to 15% rise in distressed clients with betting-related issues walking into my clinic of late," said Jayanti Sundar Rajan, a counselling psychologist with over 20 years of experience. HELPLINES ROSHINI: 040-66202000/08142020044/08142020033 1LIFE: 7893078930 Tele MANAS: 14416 or 1-800-891-4416
Straits Times
16-07-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
Acute psychiatry services to be expanded: MOH
Find out what's new on ST website and app. SINGAPORE - Acute psychiatry services will be expanded across all healthcare clusters to meet increasing demand, so that more patients will have greater access to help when they urgently need it. Dr Koh Poh Koon, Senior Minister of State for Health said this in a speech at the Singapore Mental Health Conference at Singapore Expo) on July 16. Mental health services within acute hospitals remain an important and significant touchpoint for individuals with acute mental health needs requiring specialist care and for those in crisis, he said. Acute psychiatry services include inpatient and outpatient services. Currently, inpatient psychiatric care in Singapore is available at six out of 11 public hospitals. These are the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), Tan Tock Seng Hospital, National University Hospital, Changi General Hospital, Singapore General Hospital and Sengkang Hospital. Outpatient specialist mental health services are available in IMH and all acute hospitals. Dr Koh also launched a practice guide for Singapore's tiered care model for mental health. This guide was jointly developed by the Ministry of Health (MOH) , Ministry of Social and Family Development, and Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) , with input from numerous stakeholders. The guide is available on the MOH website. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore July BTO launch to have over 4,600 balance flats, 2 BTO projects with under than 3-year wait Business US tariffs may last well after Trump; crucial for countries to deepen trade ties: SM Lee Asia Indonesia police detain 12 suspects over baby trafficking ring linked to Singapore Singapore 'Kpods broke our marriage, shattered our children': Woman on husband's vape addiction Singapore Las Vegas Sands' new development part of S'pore's broader, more ambitious transformation: PM Wong Multimedia Telling the Singapore story for 180 years Life Walking for exercise? Here are tips on how to do it properly Singapore 'Nobody deserves to be alone': Why Mummy and Acha have fostered over 20 children in the past 22 years The guide aims to standardise assessment methods and referral procedures across service providers based on the intensity and stability of clients' symptoms, and the types of care required . For example, a Community Outreach Team (Crest) – a Tier 2 service under the national strategy – may refer a distressed individual with moderate mental health needs to a Community Intervention Team (Comit), which is a Tier 3 service, if a standardised assessment tool has determined that the client requires further diagnosis and/or psychosocial intervention, explained Dr Koh. With the practice guide, there will be greater consistency in how service providers deliver care and help their clients navigate the mental health ecosystem. To begin with , the practice guide focuses on the management of depression, anxiety and suicidality, and may be expanded to cover other less common mental health conditions in the future, he said. In addition, MOH will roll out a pocket guide for members of the public to more easily identify the types of mental health support and services available. Dr Koh said more details will be provided at a later date. The 8th edition of Singapore Mental Health Conference will run from July 16-17, with a heavy focus on digital mental health and artificial is jointly organised by IMH, National Council of Social Service, AIC , and the Health Promotion Board.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
‘Fit for discharge, none to care': IMH holds recovered patients; Mental Healthcare Act mandates family reintegration
HYDERABAD: Although around 90 psychiatric patients at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), Erragadda, have recovered and are deemed fit for reintegration into the community, many continue to remain in the hospital's discharge and cure (DC) ward. Doctors at the IMH report making 25 to 30 phone calls daily to the families of such patients, but to no avail. Relatives or next of kin often refuse to take them back, despite medical clearance. One such case involves a 45-year-old man from Sirpur who was admitted with bipolar affective disorder (BPAD) in December 2023 and declared fit for discharge in April 2024. However, the father of a 15-year-old boy is now being abandoned by his family. A month ago, he also developed a fever and subsequently suffered paralysis. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad 'During his admission, his relatives came along, but now they claim it is his son's responsibility to bring him home. Although his psychiatric condition has improved, he currently has slurred speech (difficulty to pronounce words clearly) and an abnormal gait (change in walking pattern). He needs neurological treatment, but the family refuses to accept him,' said Dr Vivaswan Boorla, psychiatrist at IMH. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like For the chosen ones! 4&5 Bed Condominiums at Financial District, Hyd Sumadhura Group Learn More Undo On average, patients are recommended for discharge within three to four months, unless they have a chronic mental illness, in which case treatment typically lasts six to seven months. Most of the patients suffer from conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other psychological illnesses. OVERUSE OF HOSP RESOURCES Telangana currently has two mental health review boards (MHRBs), which oversee discharge procedures via dedicated committees. While some recovered patients have been placed in care homes run by non-profits, this is only permitted through court orders. The situation is also contributing to the overuse of hospital resources and adding strain to IMH's 600-bed capacity. 'Beds and other resources continue to be occupied by patients who are already fit for discharge, even as new patients are admitted regularly. This often results in a shortage of space and puts additional pressure on the hospital staff,' said a senior doctor. Moreover, due to extended stays, many recovered patients in the DC ward begin to develop general health issues such as fever, cough, hypertension, and diabetes. 'These patients need to be taken to specialists at Osmania General Hospital (OGH) and other facilities, usually accompanied by a staff member in an ambulance. This adds further pressure on our staff,' the doctor added. Several of these patients were also taken ill during the food poisoning incident at IMH in early June. Citing the Mental Healthcare Act 2017, IMH superintendent Dr Anitha Rayirala emphasised that the law mandates the reintegration of recovered psychiatric patients into society. She added that the primary aim of the revised Act was to uphold the rights of individuals with mental illness, who were frequently abandoned in the past. 'The patients in DC wards have been granted the status of free citizens on court orders. Yet, there remains a widespread belief among family members that these individuals are still unwell, even when they are stable and doing well post-treatment. Another issue is that families often stop administering medication after discharge, leading to relapse. Family Unwilling A 46-year-old man from Pedadapally was admitted to the IMH in June 2019 following a magistrate's order and was declared fit for discharge in October 2020. According to doctors, the patient had discontinued his psychiatric medication on his own, claiming he was asymptomatic and no longer required treatment. However, due to his history of aggression and the potential risk he poses to his elderly parents, particularly in light of his mother's medical condition and his father's caregiving responsibilities, the family has expressed their unwillingness and inability to take him back home post-discharge. Fears Of Relapse In another case, a 36-year-old man from Mancherial diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder (BPAD) was admitted to the IMH in September 2024 and declared fit for discharge two months later. Despite repeated calls, his family members have expressed reluctance to take him home, citing fears of a potential relapse. While they assured the patient over the phone that they would visit soon, they have since informed the doctors that they do not intend to come.
