With mental health helplines in Nagpur failing to connect, people seeking urgent psychiatric help across the city find themselves with nowhere to turn. Several attempts to contact two major public health institutions in the city revealed problems with the listed numbers, which raises questions over availability of timely support during a crisis. Regional Mental Hospital (RMH) said its contact number, which had earlier been disconnected by the service provider, had been restored.

 

However, repeated attempts to reach the hospital on 0712-2583176 remained unsuccessful. All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Nagpur, also lists 0712-2352033 for mental health support. Calls to this number, too, went unanswered. With both numbers proving difficult to reach, the question remains unanswered to who people in distress can turn to when they need immediate help. Dr Deepak Awchat, Class I Psychiatrist, RMH, stressed the need for local suicide prevention helpline in Nagpur to help people experiencing suicidal thoughts access timely support. Citing Mumbai’s example, he referred to Hitguj mental health helpline, which he said operates round-the-clock. “A similar local facility would make it easier for people experiencing suicidal thoughts to seek help,” he asserted.