A recent study by one of India’s largest private mental health hospital show that there is a significant rise in psychiatric emergencies.
Representative image (Creative Commons)
A 32-year-old man collapses in a crowded hotel, clutching his chest. Within minutes, an ambulance arrives, paramedics administer life-saving care, and he is swiftly transported to the nearest hospital. The coordinated response is a testament to the efficiency of India’s emergency medical services. Now imagine a different scenario.
A young woman in the same city, experiencing a severe panic attack, cries for help. Bystanders are confused and unsure of how to assist and there is no emergency number to call specifically for psychiatric crises. The contrast is stark and troubling.
Speaking to South First, psychologists and psychiatrists insist that it is high time we have a protocol set to identify psychiatric emergencies. With such emergencies rising in the country amongst almost every section of the society regardless of their age or social location, experts stress on the need for robust mental health infrastructure and a comprehensive SOS system.
A study done in June 2024 by Cadabams Hospitals, one of India’s largest private mental health hospitals situated in Karnataka’s Bengaluru showed that there is a significant rise in psychiatric emergencies – ranging from severe anxiety attacks to acute psychosis and suicidal behaviour – are becoming increasingly common amongst individuals across age groups.
Dr Sunil Kumar, Director Facilitator at Cadabams Hospitals said, “The rise in psychiatric emergencies among young adults is a cause for serious concern. Our study found a notable increase in admissions for psychiatric emergencies.”
While many people are aware of medical emergencies pertaining to physical health, psychiatric emergencies are not very well known amongst the public, warn doctors.
Speaking about what situation one can classify as a psychiatric or psychological emergency, Neha Cadabam, senior psychologist and Executive Director at Cadabams Hospitals told South First, “A psychiatric emergency refers to a situation where a person’s mental state poses a serious threat to themselves or others or significantly impairs their ability to function.”
She says this includes the potential for self-harm or inflicting serious harm on others. If someone expresses suicidal thoughts or intentions of harming themselves or others, it’s a clear emergency requiring immediate intervention, she added.
Meanwhile, extreme emotional states like uncontrollable crying, agitation, or expressions of hopelessness can be warning signs of a crisis.
“These intense emotions can lead to impulsive actions and require immediate support. Delusions, hallucinations, or a complete disconnect from reality necessitate urgent attention,” she explains.
Doctors explain that individuals experiencing such symptoms may not be able to discern real threats or make sound decisions and require professional interventions to ensure their safety.
The study was conducted over a seven month period among individuals aged between 20 to 60 years. The researchers found that people in the 30-40 age group saw the highest number of admissions, accounting for 34.6 percent of the total admissions. It was followed by the 20 to 30 age group, representing around 28.8 percent of admissions. The hospital sees both severe and subacute emergencies. Every month, nearly 18-20 patients at least require ambulance transportation to the hospital.
Dr Sunil said that the reasons for the psychiatric emergencies in these age groups was mostly due to pressures of work-life balance, financial anxieties, and social expectations, which seem to be contributing factors to the rise in mental health emergencies among young adults and working professionals.
Interstingly, a staggering 60 percent of patients admitted for psychiatric emergencies were men while women accounted for the remaining 40 percent.
“This infact suggests a potential under-reporting of mental health issues among women or a lack of access to appropriate care services. The stigma associated with mental health, particularly in women, can be a significant barrier to seeking help,” Neha Cadabam added.
The study also found that over 69 percent of the patients were at risk of suffering from multiple negative outcomes without proper intervention including self-harm, harming others, damaging property, and even facing legal repercussions.
Doctors suggest that when pre-existing mental illnesses go unmanaged due to lack of support or medication, symptoms can worsen, requiring emergency intervention. “Stopping prescribed medications without medical supervision can destabilise a person’s mental health, leading to a crisis,” explains Dr Sunil.
Meanwhile, substance abuse is a major trigger for psychiatric emergencies. Overdoses or uncontrolled behaviour due to substance use can lead to immediate crisis. Individuals struggling with depression or other mental health issues may attempt suicide without their families or friends being aware of their condition, necessitating emergency intervention, adds Dr Sunil.
Neha lists some basic signs that one needs to know to call it a psychiatric emergency:
Doctors South First spoke to said one should:
Workplace:
Triggers could be work-related stress, burnout, or conflicts with colleagues. Witnessing violence or harassment at work can also lead to mental health emergencies, especially if the individual feels unsafe or unsupported.
Work from home:
Triggers here are being in isolation, lack of boundaries between work and personal life, and the constant pressure to be available can contribute to mental health issues. Work from home can blur the lines between work and personal life, making it difficult to disconnect and unwind.
Loneliness:
Feeling isolated and disconnected from others can lead to depression and anxiety, potentially escalating the crisis. Social isolation can exacerbate existing mental health issues and make it difficult to cope with stressful situations.
Panic attacks in closed spaces:
Claustrophobia or a history of panic attacks can make confined spaces like elevators and crowded places overwhelming, triggering an emergency. Individuals with claustrophobia may experience intense anxiety and a sense of suffocation in confined spaces.
Severe depression:
It can lead to suicidal thoughts, a loss of interest in activities, and feelings of hopelessness. If left untreated, depression can significantly impact a person’s daily life and increase their risk of a crisis.
Telemanas. (Supplied)
Highlighting a significant gap in the country’s healthcare system, mental health experts suggested that the Indian government urgently address this issue to prevent further escalation of mental health crises across the country.
In the interest of society, Neha urges the government to take psychiatric emergencies seriously, offering life-saving support to those in need. “A nationwide, easy-to-remember mental health emergency number, similar to 108 for ambulance service, would be a critical first step that the government must take up. This would provide immediate access to trained professionals who can assess the situation and dispatch appropriate help, whether it’s an ambulance, a mobile crisis unit, or simply providing emotional support and resources over the phone,” she explains.
She added that we need a policy shift that prioritises early intervention and de-escalation tactics. This could involve training law enforcement personnel in mental health crisis intervention and establishing mobile crisis units staffed by mental health professionals who can respond to emergencies and provide on-site support.
Cadabam’s Hospital’s Psychiatry Emergency Response number: +91 9741476476
Telemanas number: 14416
(Edited by Neena)
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