Mental Health Risk Assessment in a Selected Urban Slum of Delhi—A Survey Report

Abstract

Mental health promotion and mental illness prevention are important parts of community mental health program. A survey to assess the mental well-being of the people living in Sangam Vihar in New Delhi, was conducted in order to identify the population ‘at risk’ for getting mental illness. A total of 290 sample subjects were selected from the community through convenient sampling and a cross-sectional survey design was used. Out of 290 subjects, most of them were migrants from the states other than Delhi like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Rajasthan. 10 were found to be at high risk for mental illness, 68 at moderate risk, while 212 were identified to be at low risk. Out of 10 subjects who were at high risk, majority, i.e. 9 out of 10 expressed worry about their health and lack of social support during crisis. 8 out of 10 were worried about their relationship with family members. Seven out of ten subjects reported that they got irritated or angry easily, worried about their future and trivial issues and were unhappy with their accomplishments. 6 out of 10 subjects expressed that they did not find life very interesting one, complained of dizziness and felt sad without any specific reason. It is concluded from the study that large number of slum dwellers are at risk of mental illnesses that need a comprehensive mental health services.