Silent Struggles in the Medical Fraternity
Nagpur: The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) has launched the Mental Health Redressal Helpline (MHRH) to provide round-the-year support for doctors, medical students, and healthcare workers facing depression, stress, and even suicidal thoughts. The initiative highlights the often-hidden struggles within the medical profession, where stigma and workload keep many from seeking help.
Helpline Details
The MHRH operates 20 hours daily, seven days a week, staffed by psychiatrists to ensure confidential, professional, and timely assistance. The service caters to junior doctors, residents, and even senior practitioners, providing a safe space for sharing concerns. Unlike government helplines that many medicos distrust, FAIMA assures personal interaction, privacy, and follow-up.
Cases That Highlight the Need
- An MBBS student in Rajasthan battling depression and suicidal thoughts was saved after his roommate contacted the helpline.
- A resident doctor in Hyderabad, refusing to enter the hospital emergency due to acute suicidal ideation, was helped when FAIMA volunteers reached local psychiatry faculty directly.
- In Prayagraj, two senior practitioners—a physician and a gynaecologist—used the helpline to resolve personal conflicts affecting their professional lives.
According to a TOI report, the service has already helped save over a hundred lives since its launch.
Expanding Network of Experts
Dr. Sajal Bansal, coordinator of MHRH-FAIMA, said:
“Doctors hesitate in disclosing their stress, problems, or mental state. Many had interpersonal and academic challenges, and some were suicidal. The initiative has helped save precious lives. A loss of a doctor is a huge loss for society.”
He further added that 30 more senior psychiatrists have agreed to join the initiative, strengthening the network.
Addressing a Growing Crisis
With suicides among doctors and students rising due to long shifts, extreme stress, and academic pressure, FAIMA’s helpline aims to normalize mental healthcare within the profession. To ensure accessibility, the expert panel includes psychiatrists from across India who can provide support in multiple languages, including English, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Bengali, Marathi, Malayalam, and Kannada.
