JOIN USA 24-hour Psychiatric Emergency helpline to support patients and families in psychiatric crisis was launched by the Cadabam’s group in the City on Saturday. The helpline can be reached at 97414 76476.
Governor Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala launched the helpline marking the 22nd anniversary of Cadabam’s. The helpline will be manned by experts and in cases where counselling cannot be offered on the call, an ambulance will be sent to attend to the cases.
Sandesh Cadabam, a member of the group said that in India, at least one person in four families suffers from mental illness.
“About 19 per cent of the deaths in the world are due to drug overdose while there are innumerable number of fatalities due to drunken driving. It is important to address these issues at the earliest,” he added. Ian Felton, British Deputy High Commissioner who unveiled the new helpline said that speedy diagnosis was the need of the hour.
The governor, pointing out the increasing need for mental healthcare professionals said, “There is a lot of difference between what doctors studied many years ago and what is happening today. There is a need for them to update their knowledge. If not used appropriately, there is no point in having any amount of knowledge.”
While Dr N M Patil was presented the ‘Distinguished Psychiatrist’ award for his contribution in the field, Lata Jacob was awarded the Mental Health Professional Award for her outstanding services. The duo have won several awards for their contribution to the field of psychiatry. ‘Bright Start’ awards were presented to recovering patients Jatin Prabhu and Apurva Dala, appreciating their talent and caliber.