From 1,192 in 2019 to 2,300 this yr, spike in elderly patients at PGI’s Dept of Psychiatry
Studies in the department have indicated that more men than women above the age of 60 are seeking help, with the special clinic helping them to get more time with doctors, and special attention, and not wait for long.
The Department of Psychiatry, (PGI), Chandigarh, has dedicated one day of the week to the mental health issues of senior citizens.
The Geriatric Clinic of the department operational every Thursday has seen a marked rise in new patients reaching out to doctors, with Dr Aseem Mehra, additional professor, psychiatry, terming a rise of 12 to 13 per cent of elderly patients.
While 1,192 new cases were reported in 2019 at the psychiatry OPD of the department, the number now stands at about 2,300 this year so far.
The number of admissions over the last one decade has seen almost a 30 per cent increase. “We are moving towards an ageing population, and the rise is multifactorial, with increased awareness about mental health issues post-Covid, and the elderly better informed, and able to identify symptoms like depression, anxiety, sadness, stress, memory loss,” explains Dr Mehra.
Living alone, lack of a community, children being away, a lack of self-worth post-retirement, not enough facilities for the elderly to engage with like-minded people, in some cases financial issues, and physical problems like pains, arthritis, heart disease adding to the feeling of being dependent on others, are some of the common problems that psychiatrists are addressing.
Studies in the department have indicated that more men than women above the age of 60 are seeking help, with the special clinic helping them to get more time with doctors, and special attention, and not wait for long.
Dr Mehra says that post-Covid there was a marked increase in cases of mental health issues, with many having lost their near ones, jobs, feeling isolated, and not able to cope with the aftermath of the pandemic that affected people of all ages, with the elderly more vulnerable.
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Counselling, medicines, behavioural therapy and family support, apart from exercise, a more nutritious diet, are the main interventions. “We insist on regular follow-ups and the results are very positive. Sometimes, patients from other departments are referred to us, for doctors cannot identify the reasons for chronic pains, fatigue, skin issues like rashes, itching, eczema, insomnia, acid reflux, and other gastro issues even after several tests, for many manifestations are due to stress and emotional issues.”
Patients are also analyzed for mild cognitive impairment, the initial stage of dementia along with tests for sugar, hypertension, vitamin deficiencies and if detected, are controlled, with the elderly also asked to play brain games and engage in brain stimulating activities to avert progress of cognitive decline.
Dr Mehra is now leading the team of PGI for the All-India Mental Health Survey, with sampling of five of Punjab’s districts to be done by the institute’s departments of psychiatry and community medicine. “The districts are picked on an economic basis, and for the sample size, we will go to the deepest level and select people in a uniform manner and on a scientific basis, with a minimum population of 8,500 people, along with senior citizens and children. We have started training the team at PGI that will take the sample size,” explains Dr Mehra.
The districts to be included are Ropar, Sangrur, Pathankot, Moga and Patiala, and various psychiatry scales will be used for the survey, encompassing the district panchayat, village, ward and booth levels.
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“The Chandigarh sample size is about 4,500, and the target for the data collection is October,” says Dr Mehra.
Parul is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express in Chandigarh. She is a seasoned journalist with over 25 years of experience specializing in public health, higher education, and the architectural heritage of Northern India.
Professional Profile
Education: Graduate in Humanities with a specialized focus on Journalism and Mass Communication from Panjab University, Chandigarh.
Career Path: She began her career covering local city beats and human interest stories before joining The Indian Express in 2009. Over the last decade and a half, she has risen to the rank of Principal Correspondent, becoming the publication’s primary voice on Chandigarh’s premier medical and academic institutions.
Expertise: Her reporting is deeply rooted in the institutional dynamics of PGIMER (Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research) and Panjab University. She is highly regarded for her ability to navigate complex administrative bureaucracies to deliver student-centric and patient-centric news.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2024 - 2025)
Her recent work highlights critical reporting on healthcare infrastructure, academic governance, and urban culture:
1. Public Health & PGIMER
"PGIMER expands digital registry: Centralized patient records to reduce wait times by 40%" (Nov 20, 2025): A detailed look at the digital transformation of one of India's busiest medical institutes to tackle patient influx.
"Robotic Surgery at PGI: Why the new urology wing is a game-changer for North India" (Oct 12, 2025): Reporting on the acquisition of state-of-the-art medical technology and its impact on affordable healthcare.
"Shortage of life-saving drugs: Inside the supply chain crisis at government pharmacies" (Dec 5, 2025): An investigative piece on the logistical hurdles affecting chronic patients in the tri-city area.
2. Education & Institutional Governance
"Panjab University Senate Election: The battle for institutional autonomy" (Dec 18, 2025): In-depth coverage of the high-stakes internal elections and the friction between traditional governance and central reforms.
"Research funding dip: How PU’s science departments are navigating the 2025 budget cuts" (Nov 5, 2025): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing researchers and the impact on India's global academic ranking.
3. Art, Culture & Heritage
"Le Corbusier’s legacy in peril: The struggle to preserve Chandigarh’s Capitol Complex" (Dec 22, 2025): A feature on the conservation efforts and the tension between urban modernization and UNESCO heritage status.
"Chandigarh Art District: How street murals are reclaiming the city’s grey walls" (Oct 30, 2025): A cultural profile of the local artists transforming the aesthetic of the "City Beautiful."
Signature Style
Parul is known for her empathetic lens, often centering her stories on the individuals affected by policy—whether it is a student navigating university red tape or a patient seeking care. She possesses a unique ability to translate dense administrative notifications into actionable information for the public. Her long-standing beat experience makes her a trusted source for "inside-track" developments within Chandigarh’s most guarded institutions.
X (Twitter): @parul_express ... Read More
