10% flood victims might fall ill mentally: NIMHANS docs

Doctors of the National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) stated that of the total population affected by the loss due to floods in Kodagu and Kerala, at least 10% could become mentally ill.

However, with timely medical intervention and support, this percentage could be brought down.

The Kerala Government has approached the Department of Psychiatric Social Work of NIMHANS, to help flood victims cope with distress.

At the moment, 14 psychiatrists are deployed in 14 flood affected districts of Kerala and another team of 20 psychiatrists and clinical psychologists will be dispatched on Tuesday. A team of four NIMHANS staff will be sent to Kodagu.

Dr K Sekar, HOD, Department of Psychiatric Social Work, said that it was a long route to recovery for those who lost everything in the floods.