What drives people to commit violent crimes, such as murder of a partner?
Violent crimes can stem from delusional disorders, where one partner falsely believes the other is unfaithful, leading to impulsive acts. Some cases involve confirmed extramarital affairs, often uncovered via technology, triggering violent reactions. Premeditated crimes also occur, sometimes with the partner involved. Psychiatrists categorise offenders as sad (emotional/mental health issues), mad (serious mental illness like delusions or schizophrenia), or bad (criminal intent).
What factors contribute to long-lasting and healthy relationships?
Studies in Western contexts, which can be adapted to the Indian perspective, suggest that couples who remain together for decades often share common interests that keep them engaged with each other, they have mutual respect for personal space, allow each partner to grow individually, and effective boundary management with extended family, ensuring family pressures do not interfere.
There is a perception that India has a high number of people with mental health issues but there is a shortage of experts to deal with it…
Not anymore. There were 200 MD seats some 20 years ago, but now the number has gone up to 1,800, but we are still short, given our large population. Nimhans has come up with Tele MANAS which was initiated in Karnataka and has now been rolled out in several states. The Karnataka government has emerged as the flag-bearer with its District Mental Health programme and a psychiatrist in each district. Now the government is set to establish Taluk Mental Health centres, and rope in ASHA workers to tell people about mental health services. Early identification is happening, and treatment is free. I guess we are moving in the right direction.
