During the examination results season a marked increase in the number of depression cases has been noticed by psychiatrists. So much so that the number of calls received at different psychiatric centres and examination conducting bodies have almost doubled in the past few weeks.
Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC) has a toll-free enquiry number (18003456523) to resolve the queries of students. As the date for deceleration of results is nearing the calls received by JAC enquiry department has almost doubled. The JAC enquiry department said that they receive about 40-50 calls daily of which more than 50 per cent of the calls are for result enquiry. As students are in stress due to delay of JAC board results.
The Central Institute of Psychiatry (CIP), Kanke, Ranchi has a toll-free number (1800-345-1849) and a helpline number (0651-2451116) for 24X7 assistance to people suffering from psychiatric problems and mental distress. CIP Director, Dr. D. Ram said, “70-80 per cent calls received by their helpline services are of depression problems. Many parents call in the helpline service to discuss about the child’s behavioral change, about downfall in their child’s academic results.” He said they have also received cases of students trying to harm themselves.
Dr. Ram further said that during the result season he has received several calls from students in distress on his personal number for guidance and help.
In a survey released by Central Institute of Psychiatry (CIP) in collaboration with the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on World Health Day in 2017, it was found that 11.1 per cent population of Jharkhand suffers from mental disorders.
Noted neuro-psychiatrist, Dr. Subodh Prasad said, he has noticed around 60 per cent depression cases among youths. The problem of depression is seen mostly among students of 9th to 12th grade and college going students.
Dr. Subodh Prasad said that several schools have initiated a great step by providing a psychiatric consultant department to help the students facing anxiety and depression problems. Dr CRJ Khess, Professor of Psychiatry, CIP, Ranchi said that CIP has been conducting regular Mood Clinics and distributing booklets containing information about depression problems to create awareness among citizens. Regular Community Outreach Programs are conducted in Hazaribagh and Bokaro for people suffering from any type of Psychiatric Problems.
At least 14 per cent population of Jharkhand suffers from depression problem, said Dr. Nishant Goel, an eminent psychiatrist of Central Institute of Psychiatry (CIP). Dr. Nishant Goel further said that through collection of data from survey in households it is found that 60-70 per cent depression problem is seen among individuals between the age group of 25 to 45 years and 13 per cent cases of depression problem is seen among youths between the age group of 13 to 18 years.