World Mental Health Day, Manas Ganga Clinic, Noida started a Free Trial for Psychological First Aid
NOIDA ROHIT SHARMA
On the eve of World Mental Health Day, Manas Ganga Clinic, Noida started a Free Trial for Psychological First Aid (Psychologist Consultations  On this occasion mental health experts suggested to promote psychological first aid (PFA) which can save hundreds of lives every year. Dr. Manu Tiwari, senior psychiatrist at Fortis Hospital, Noida and Fortis-Escorts Heart Institute, New Delhi 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. But psychological first aid (PFA) could help a person get over the effects of stress and depression. Dr. Ajay Dogra, Senior Psychiatrist at Kailash Hospital and Jeewan Anmol Hospital, New Delhi said that with the aim to alleviate mental distress at its source, psychological interventions are the first attempts to provide the emotional support that is often undermined in such times. Combating this emotional strife might seem to be overwhelming, but with professional help can halven the distress. Hence, as helping professionals, we aim to reach out to those whose concerns don’t surface, and may be considered rather insignificant in the larger realm of things. Psychological intervention in the nick of time can considerably impact lives in a more meaningful way. Thus, the initiative of ‘psychological first aid’ recognises the agony of the common man and tries to provide intervention without delay, Dr. Tiwari said that support can come from a relative, friend or colleague, 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. About 200 patients of different sectors of Noida today got free mental health consultation and psychological first aid at Free Mental OPD organized by Manas Ganga Clinic. A team of psychiatrists and clinical psychologists screened them for a slew of mental problems and disorders like Schizophrenia, Depression, Anxiety Disorders, Bipolar Affective Disorder, Addictions, Personality Disorders, Dementia, Anorexia and ADHD. Dr. Tiwari said, “by conducting free mental OPD and providing free medical consultation, we are trying to create awareness among residents of Noida mental health.
