Helpline seeks church role in offering counselling

The Emmanuel Hospital Association (EHA) is encouraging churches to be part of the recently launched mental health helpline that provides psychiatric services for people in need.

The 24-hour helpline was launched in October last year to provide counselling to those suffering from stress, domestic violence, fears, dejection and marital problems.

The helpline is a collaboration of EHA, St Stephen's Hospital, Mar Thoma Church, and Vandrevala Foundation.

Inaugurated by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, the 24x7 helpline is now seeking to pitch in psychiatrists, institutions and churches from different localities to provide face to face counselling, treatment services and other required allied services.

According to a recent World Health Organization (WHO) report, psychiatric illness and substance abuse were leading contributors to early death across the globe.

In India, the prevalence of major mental and behavioural disorders is estimated to be 65 per 1000 population, which translates to 70 million people.

"The aim of including churches is to have support groups in different locations for the people to access face to face counselling services in their own local area," EHA stated in an appeal.

"For this reason, we would like to link up with the churches and provide training to people who are interested to become counsellors in their church. This will be an opening to touch lives through our words and emotional support."

The helpline "1860 266 2345" can be accessed from Delhi and neighbouring North Indian states, and is manned by trained counsellors. Up to 60 calls are received each day.

The helpline has a three-tier system. Clinical psychologists trained in counselling are primary call takers. In extreme cases, calls are received by senior and experienced psychiatrists.

The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report of 2010 said nearly 9,465 people committed suicide in the country due to mental illness.