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Time of India
an hour 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
7 days ago
- 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.
Straits Times
03-07-2025
- Straits Times
17-year-old youth who walked on MRT tracks to take video of train charged, remanded at IMH for assessment
The teen allegedly committed criminal trespass on March 27 at around 8.15pm by climbing a scaffolding along Upper Changi Road to access the train... PHOTOS: SCREENGRAB FROM FACEBOOK VIDEO/COMPLAINT SINGAPORE 17-year-old youth who walked on MRT tracks to take video of train charged, remanded at IMH for assessment Nadine Chua The Straits Times July 3, 2025 A 17-year-old youth who allegedly trespassed onto train tracks between Simei and Tanah Merah MRT stations was charged on July 3. The teen was handed one charge of wilfully endangering the safety of passengers and another charge of criminal trespass. He cannot be named as he was 16 years old when he allegedly committed the offences in March. Individuals below 18 are protected under the Children and Young Persons Act. The teen appeared in court via video-link, with the prosecution successfully applying for him to be remanded at the Institute of Mental Health for psychiatric assessment. District Judge Brenda Tan asked if his parents were in court. When this question was posed to those in the court gallery, no one responded. The judge asked if the teen's parents had been informed of the charges, and he replied he had called his parents. According to charge sheets, he allegedly committed criminal trespass on March 27 at around 8.15pm by climbing a scaffolding along Upper Changi Road to access the train tracks during operational hours. In early June, SMRT said it had filed a police report after footage that appeared to have been taken from an MRT track was posted on social media. The video was taken in dimly lit conditions and shows a train passing by on a nearby track. The person filming it later moves closer to the train, before crossing the tracks. The teen is also accused of wilfully endangering the safety of those travelling along the railway by trespassing onto the track while train service was in operation. His case was adjourned to July 17. Those convicted of committing criminal trespass can be jailed for up to three months, fined up to $1,500, or both. An offender who wilfully does something that endangers those travelling along the railway can be jailed for up to five years, fined up to $10,000, or both. Click here to contribute a story or submit it to our WhatsApp Get more of Stomp's latest updates by following us on:
Straits Times
29-06-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
Views from the couch: Understanding the realities of mental health caregiving
Caregivers supporting loved ones with mental health conditions or neurodevelopmental conditions should be equipped with the skills to navigate caregiving. ST ILLUSTRATION: ADOBE STOCK, CHEONG HUAN TING No health without mental health Views from the couch: Understanding the realities of mental health caregiving SINGAPORE - At 29, he still runs to his mother's bedroom when he has a nightmare. His compulsions – repeatedly flicking light switches on and off, obsessively ensuring items are in their exact spots, and even showering for hours – are routines that provide him with temporary relief from his anxiety. His mother knows that such behaviour is part of his coping mechanism, the rituals that help him manage his obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). While she understands and tolerates them, her husband and daughter have struggled, especially in the early years when his symptoms first appeared. The mother, one of my colleagues, is familiar with the unspoken weight of being a caregiver. It's not uncommon for her to apologise for missing work to be at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) with her son or to manage a family crisis. I've seen photos of him in the hospital, strapped to a bed, and it's her strength, her unwavering resolve to support him – and that of other caregivers – that keeps me going in my new role. Over the past five months, leading the combined operations of Caregivers Alliance Limited (CAL) and Resilience Collective, I've witnessed at first hand how mental illness disrupts not only the lives of those living with it but equally, if not more, those of their caregivers as well. Many people ask how my first 100 days have been, and I answer honestly: I've been on a listening journey, through conversations with my colleagues, events at CAL and discussions with psychiatrists. For those living with mental illness and their caregivers, normality is robbed, days become chaotic, careers are halted or eventually given up, savings are depleted and familial ties broken. Bolstering mental health takes a whole-of-community effort. This means not only supporting individual caregivers, but also building a broader ecosystem of care. The goal is to ensure every individual is connected and supported within their communities, encompassing family, schools, workplaces and social groups. We need to help caregivers help their families Mental health recovery extends beyond the clinic or hospital. It takes place in the community. Caregivers supporting loved ones with mental health conditions or neurodevelopmental conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) should be equipped with the skills to navigate caregiving. Kelvin, a caregiver to his wife and teenage son, who are both living with ADHD, used to find himself in stressful situations when one of them would trigger the other. Once, while he was driving, his wife screamed at their son, who remained very quiet. They later realised he was so affected that he had swallowed a piece of a plastic bag in the car – as harming himself was his way of coping. Kelvin now has a better understanding of their condition after going through CAL's 12-week Caregivers-to-Caregivers Training Programme. Not only that, he is now also connected to other parents in similar situations. Our training programme equips caregivers with knowledge about mental health conditions and teaches practical skills for coping and supporting loved ones. This is complemented by monthly support groups, for both caregivers and care recipients, which provide a safe space for them to share openly and build lasting peer support networks. Many graduates report increased knowledge, emotional resilience, and the ability to navigate their mental health journeys with confidence. We need to start caring for young minds In our close work with IMH's case managers, we find that those struggling with mental health conditions are getting younger – a recent case of depression and vape abuse being a minor at 11 years old. When youth get burdened with mental health conditions in crucial developmental years, it is even more difficult for them to progress and 'catch up' with their peers. I met more than 100 first-year students entering the media, arts and design school of a polytechnic and recently discovered from an on-site poll done by CAL that one in four of them was willing to join a support group to help them manage their top five stressors: school, money, family, friends and relationships. The polytechnic had invited us to meet the students, as part of its month-long mental wellness programme for new students. The polytechnic students told CAL that most turn to informal support networks such as friends, partners, siblings and parents first when crisis strikes. Bolstering mental health needs to work holistically and is a whole-of-community effort. Awareness needs to start now, and schools are another key community to start embracing this change. This is why we are going into secondary schools to give talks to raise awareness about mental health for youth. We continue to partner universities, polytechnics and youth organisations such as the National Youth Council and *Scape, to provide psychoeducation and nurture peer support links early. We conduct mental health talks on topics relevant to students, such as eating disorders and body image. Furthermore, we also aim to 'train the trainer' through peer support training for the school's counsellors and student clubs. We need to break silos, not just stigma, to collectively help burdened minds find light Singapore's social service agencies today are still focused on their own areas of specialisation or intervention. Stigma around mental health still exists in Singapore. We need mental health players to band together for greater impact and to normalise mental illness. One way is to adopt a continuum of care mindset when thinking of our collective clients. How can we journey with youth, families or caregivers through their life stages, pre-empting and preventing mental distress, building resilience for transition periods when they are more vulnerable? This is why CAL is opening our doors to everyone – those who are well today and those who are in recovery – as we are prepared to connect those in need with other organisations that can help them with the right services. Tim Oei is the chief executive of Caregivers Alliance Limited, which joined forces with Resilience Collective in January 2025. The new CAL's refreshed brand and mission – 'Mindfull Community' unveiled in CAL's 2024 Annual Report – will be introduced at its mass walk on July 26. Those who are interested to walk in solidarity for mental health and wellness can sign up at Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
