Chandigarh, Oct. 10 -- The number of admitted patients requiring psychiatric care has risen by 34% over a decade at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research. From 1,344 patients in 2015, the number of admitted patients needing psychiatric care increased to 1,799 in 2025. "The majority of them are cancer patients having stress, anxiety or depression", said Dr Swapnajeet Sahoo, associate professor, psychiatry department.

The institute is trying to identify such patients and provide psychiatric care to them. Long term illness can impact a patient and his/her caregiver's mental health. In most western countries, emotional and psychological care is a recognised part of cancer and long term illness care. However, India sti...