Civic body to set up facilities for mentally ill

Mumbai: Soon, Mumbaikars will have an exclusive facility for tackling mental illness as civic authorities have decided to set up a special hospital-cum-clinic for such patients. The city has been witnessing a steep rise in the number of people suffering from mental illnesses.

According to a recent Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation  survey, over 1.74 lakh Mumbaikars are suffering from mental illnesses.

Shiv Sena corporator Sheetal Mhatre demanded that the civic administration set up a special hospital-clinic to cater to the increasing number of people suffering from mental illnesses. Mhatre even submitted a proposal to this effect to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. Mhatre said, “In Mumbai, people suffering from mental illnesses are increasing. So, I have submitted a proposal to the administration. The BMC will take the final decision on this.”

Agreeing to her proposal, the director of civic-run hospitals Dr Avinash Supe said, “We already have a special outpatient department (OPD) and special care to tackle mental health-related emergencies but setting up a hospital and clinic specially to tackle these issues is a great thing.”

“Due to peer pressure and faulty lifestyles, mental illnesses are spreading like an epidemic. People are suffering from depression, schizophrenia and multiple personality disorders, and the sad part is they are left untreated,” said Dr Supe.

Civic officials said that setting up of the hospital-cum-clinic was in the pipeline and once the proposal got the green signal, things would proceed.

Mental illness is still considered a stigma in our society. People generally don't come forward to take treatment. All civic- and state- run hospitals have a special ward for patients suffering from mental illness.