With the intention to provide mental health support to citizens amid the nationwide lockdown, city psychiatrists have come up with a free helpline. The assistance is also available to those dealing with alcohol or substance abuse, acute withdrawal symptoms, anxiety, suicidal tendencies and other psychological issues.

Senior psychiatrist, Dr Sanjay Kumavat, the former deputy director mental health, Government of Maharashtra said, "We have to be sensitive about different people's reaction to the lockdown, where they are forced to stay within the four walls of their homes — a senior citizen, a child, a single parent, the employed having no facility to work from home, not being able to visit doctors for routine check-up or dialysis, a jobless person or someone going through troubled a relationship or an addict (alcohol/substance), etc. Each and every one of them must be going through different stages of phycological stress and timely help can change the situation." Dr Kuamavat added, "Through the helpline, we have given mobile numbers of psychiatrists practising across the state. It is our way of reaching out to those in distress by saying, 'we care' and help is a mere phone call away."