'Need to introduce psychological first aid concept to curb stress

AURANGABAD: Considering the growing incidences of people suffering from mental distress, most notably depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psychiatrists believe that psychological first aid (PFA) could be instrumental in preventing suicides among those who are distressed. “They said that about 100,000 Indians commit suicide every year, many others suffer injuries, some become unable to function to capacity due to stress-related factors.To combat that and assist with immediate relief efforts, psychiatrists along with other medical organizations are focusing their efforts on mental health-care services, especially psychological first aid (PFA),” said psychiatrist Amit Tak, Aurangabad district Prerana Prakalp in-charge.
“PFA is an emerging concept that promotes humane, supportive and practical help to a person in distress. It is the theme of this year's World Mental Health Day to be observed on October 10,” Tak explained. “Men, women including children are subjected to various forms of stress. In the list of mental health problems, stress does not feature very high. Yet, if left unattended, it can quite literally kill,” said another psychiatrist at KEM, Sagar Mundada. He said, “Support can come from family members, neighbours, teachers, community members and first responders of various kinds like emergency medical teams, police, fire fighters, but it is best dealt with by professionals. The symptoms could be a feeling of despair, fatigue, anxiety, an inability to interact normally with others, unusual displays of temper and so on.” Considering the severe shortage of mental health professionals, with as little as one psychiatrist for every 340,000 people, it is necessary that PFA should be incorporated into the national mental health policy which would help curb more dangerous and life threatening mental problems,” Sagar added.