Patna, Feb. 17: A search for a counsellor in the state capital can be more stressful than the depression the person is suffering from.

None of the government hospitals in Patna have clinical psychologists who expertise in counselling such people who develop suicidal tendencies due to depression.

The state capital has witnessing as many as nine cases of teen suicides since last month. However, there has been no systematic effort till date to create a post of clinical psychologists in government hospitals, said a city-based psychiatrist.

Pramod Singh, head of department (HoD), Psychiatry department of Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) said: “There is no post for clinical psychologists in this hospital. Not just here, even the Nalanda Medical College and Hospital does not have any such facility. If one talks about the state, none of the government hospitals have got psychologists at the moment. Though counselling comes right at the end, when the condition of the person becomes worrisome, the fact has to be accepted that the absence of counsellors leads to difficulties,” Singh said.

The state capital does not even have a helpline where the students can call up when in need of counselling.

“In many cities, there are NGOs which work to counsel people in depression or tension. There are phone numbers on which one can call and get proper counselling from experts. This system is not there in Patna. No NGO here has taken up the matter seriously,” Singh added.

Sources said that though suicidal tendency is a serious condition, it could not be termed as “madness”.

The job of a psychiatrist primarily is to look into and treat cases of serious mental imbalance. Counselling is completely different and requires a trained psychologist, sources said.

“A few years ago, there were some psychologists working at private hospitals in the capital. But now they are gone too. All of them have retired. Actually no one is very serious about this particular issue. Earlier, psychologists used to come from Delhi and treat patients in Patna. But now even that has stopped. Also, the social structure of Patna is such that going to a psychologist is considered a taboo. Hence the ides of counselling has not picked up here,” another city-based psychiatrist said.

The city police too want such a system to be in place.

“Yes, the police can tag with any NGO or hospital and can help. But then one needs to have counselling centres,” a police officer said.