Around 100 people with severe mental health problems are seen at the Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Psychiatry Hospital on a daily basis, said a senior official yesterday.
These patients seen at the out-patient clinic of the hospital mostly suffer from depression, anxiety disorder and schizophrenia, said Dr Suhaila Ghuloum, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist, HMC, speaking on the sidelines of the Fifth Qatar International Mental Health Conference.
“On average we see between 80 and 110 patients per day at the outpatient clinic and for in-patients we have 74 beds. The Psychiatry Hospital is the main provider of mental health services. We probably see the more severe conditions and mild to moderate conditions are more seen at the health centres,” she said.
Among 312 patients who sought emergency care for mental health problems at the Psychiatry Hospital within three-and-half months, 68 percent were men, according to a study presented on ‘Clinical profiles of patients presenting to the Psychiatry Hospital in Qatar’ during the conference.
They included 35 percent Qataris, 13.8 percent other Arabs, 36.5 percent Asians, 7.9 percent Africans and 2.4 percent Europeans. Among the female patients, 21.2 percent were domestic workers and 15.1 percent housewives. Majority of patients included in the study showed abnormal behaviour, aggression or self-harm ideas and high risk behaviour which would harm them or others. Some 50 percent of patients had a psychiatric history and 20 percent had been previously admitted to the hospital.
Ten percent of patients were those who had got discharged from the hospital one week before. Their conditions were diagnosed as paranoid psychosis, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder; adjustment disorder and acute stress reactions. The study was based on data collected from June, 2015 to May 1, 2016 at the Psychiatry Hospital. The Fifth Qatar International Mental Health Conference held at the Westin Hotel saw 500 participants and 20 local, regional and international speakers.
“The conference covered a range of disorders, which affect children, adolescents and old age people. Discussions also included acute management of disorders to rehabilitation after recovery,” said Dr Ghuloum.
A Doha-based new sanctuary ‘naufar’ for wellness and treatment of substance use and related behavioural disorders highlighted the importance of rehabilitation. “It’s important to get people with disorders and addiction back into normal life, but it’s not done everywhere in the world. In Qatar the efforts taken to bring these people into normal life is exceptional,” said Dr Jeffery Wilkins, Chief Medical Officer, at naufar.
The three-day event discussed case studies, research findings and methods to break the stigma related to mental health problems. “The conference has been about looking at the evidence that supports in providing good mental health care. I think it will help Qatar to look at what evidence says and find ways to provide better care to patients. But we should also look into cultural and religious aspects and involve families in giving care. So we have to look at scientific based approach but very much tailored to family-based methods of treatment,” said Iain Tully, CEO, Mental Health Services HMC .
