HP third in number of mentally ill patients: survey

Shimla, June 10 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh is placed third in the number of mentally ill patients in the country with 195 people in one lakh ill, just behind Kerala and Andaman Nicobar Islands, official sources said.

Kerala topped the table with 272 patients in one lakh followed by Andaman and Nicobar Islands with 211, Himachal 195 and Lakshadeep with 177 people sick, the sources quoting National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) said yesterday.

The number of mentally sick people in the state was way above the national average of 105 patients but no particular reason could be ascribed to their illness, they said.

Majority of the cases reported were related to deep depression, and excessive use of sedatives, besides people complaining of their relatives taking the help of magicians to harass them, the sources added.

The survey underscored the need to carry out a scientific survey to have an holistic and accurate picture of the mental health of the people, they said.

UNI AS JN VA RK0935