Kollam, Kerala · Psychiatrist

Best Psychiatrists in Kollam

Looking for the best psychiatrist in Kollam? This page brings together Psychiatrist listings for Kollam, Kerala - a Large (2-5M) city of about 2.3 million (23 lakh) - with contact details, maps, what to check before you book and answers to the questions people ask most.

Paid Verified Premium partners always appear first and are labelled as such; the other entries come from public online sources and have not yet been confirmed in person. Call ahead to check timings and availability.

Kollam 1 standard listing listed

Psychiatrists in Kollam at a glance

Quick facts about Kollam and its healthcare system. Hospital, bed and doctor figures are estimates scaled from state and national data, because no public source counts them city by city.

City population (2025 estimate)2.3 million (23 lakh)UN World Population Prospects 2024, urban-area figure
Population rank among top-100 cities#32Large (2-5M)
Estimated hospital beds in the city~5,900State beds per 1,000 x city population
Estimated ICU beds~300ICU assumed at 5% of beds
Estimated hospitals (public + private)~200Scaled from state totals
Estimated practising doctors, all systems~2,800National ratio of 1 per 811 people
Estimated nurses and midwives~5,000National ratio of 2.23 per 1,000
Hospital beds per 1,000 (state)2.63India average about 1.39; Above avg
Private share of hospital beds (state)62%2019-era estimate
Infant mortality (state, 2024)8 per 1,000 live birthsIndia: 24 (SRS 2024)
Life expectancy at birth (state, 2023, modelled)78.0 yearsIndia: about 72

With around 2.3 million (23 lakh) people (2025 estimate, from the UN's 2024 World Population Prospects urban-area estimate), Kollam is number 32 among the 100 largest cities in this directory and sits in the Large (2-5M) size band. At the assumed growth of 3.2% a year, it would reach about 2.6 million by 2030, so demand for psychiatrists and every other speciality is likely to keep rising.

Scaling Kerala's 2.63 beds per 1,000 people (the India-wide figure is about 1.39) to the city's population gives roughly 5,900 hospital beds in Kollam, including about 300 ICU beds, spread across an estimated 200 hospitals (about 76 public and 120 private). That is about 380 residents for every bed and around 30 beds per hospital on average. Measured against the WHO's often-quoted benchmark of 3 beds per 1,000 people, the city would need roughly 840 more beds, which is one reason private clinics and hospitals carry so much of the load.

The same national ratio of one practising doctor per 811 people suggests about 2,800 practising doctors across all systems of medicine in Kollam, supported by around 5,000 nurses and midwives. Mental health is the thinnest part of this workforce: the national average is only about 0.3 psychiatrists per 100,000 people (WHO Mental Health Atlas 2014), so a population this size would have only a few dozen if it matched that average. Specialist head-counts are not published city by city, so these figures show scale, not how many psychiatrists practise in Kollam.

On health outcomes, Kerala's infant mortality rate is 8 per 1,000 live births (2024), well below the national figure of 24, and modelled life expectancy is about 78.0 years against roughly 72 for India; these are state-wide measures, not city measurements. About 62% of hospital beds in Kerala are private, so most people weigh private psychiatrists against government outpatient departments. This page lists 1 psychiatrist for Kollam, and 6 other cities in Kerala have their own psychiatrist page below.

General information compiled from public sources (MoHFW, SRS 2024, CDDEP / One Health Trust, UN WPP 2024, Census 2011); estimates, not official counts, and not medical advice. Listings marked "Online Verified" come from public online sources: please confirm details with the provider.

What psychiatrists in Kollam treat

A psychiatrist (mental health doctor) in Kollam typically helps with the following problems. Not every clinic offers every service, so ask before you go.

Common conditions and services
  • Depression
  • Anxiety and panic attacks
  • OCD
  • Schizophrenia and psychosis
  • Alcohol and substance dependence
  • ADHD and child behaviour concerns
Tests and checks you may be asked for
  • Detailed clinical interview
  • Standard screening questionnaires
  • Medication review
  • Referral for psychotherapy when appropriate

Also searched as: mental health doctor, depression doctor, de-addiction specialist, anxiety specialist.

When to see a psychiatrist in Kollam

  • Low mood, loss of interest or hopelessness lasting more than two weeks
  • Constant worry, panic attacks or fear that disrupts daily life
  • Unusual thoughts, hearing voices or extreme mood swings
  • Alcohol or drug use that you cannot cut down
  • A child with sudden changes in behaviour or school performance
Emergency: If you or someone you know is thinking of self-harm, call Tele-MANAS on 14416 (free, 24x7) or 108, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. India's free ambulance number is 108.

How to choose a psychiatrist in Kollam

  1. Check the qualification: MBBS with MD (Psychiatry), DPM or DNB (Psychiatry).
  2. Verify registration with the NMC / State Medical Council register (psychologists register with the Rehabilitation Council of India, not the NMC) and note the registration number.
  3. Ask what the consultation includes and whether tests, follow-ups and procedures are charged separately.
  4. Look for clear, itemised communication about costs; avoid anyone who guarantees a cure.
  5. Check practical details: location, clinic hours, appointment system, and whether emergency back-up exists if something goes wrong.
Consultations are confidential. The Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 protects patient rights. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe medicines; psychologists provide therapy and are not medical doctors.

Healthcare in Kollam: the bigger picture

No public source counts hospitals city by city, so these figures are estimates: roughly 5,900 beds and 200 hospitals for Kollam. Kerala state averages about 2.6 hospital beds per 1,000 people, above the India-wide figure of roughly 1.4. The private sector holds about 62% of beds in Kerala.

For context on health outcomes in Kerala: the state infant mortality rate is 8 per 1,000 live births (2024), lower than the national figure of 24, and modelled life expectancy is about 78.0 years, above the national estimate of 72. These are state-wide figures, not city measurements.

Mental health professionals are in short supply across India. At the national average of about 0.3 psychiatrists per 100,000 people (WHO Mental Health Atlas 2014), a population like Kollam's would have only around 7 psychiatrists - a rough national-average figure, not a count - so it can help to book early and to ask about follow-up and counselling support.

Data note: Dispersed Kerala agglomeration; population and therefore estimates are likely overstated.

Before you visit: what to carry

  • Write down your symptoms and when they began
  • Note sleep, appetite and energy changes
  • List all current medicines

Frequently asked questions: Psychiatrists in Kollam

How do I find the best psychiatrist in Kollam?

There is no single best doctor for everyone: the right choice depends on your condition, budget and location. A good approach is to shortlist two or three psychiatrists, check their qualification and registration with the NMC / State Medical Council register (psychologists register with the Rehabilitation Council of India, not the NMC), and compare facilities and communication. On this page, Dr Shijoy P Kunjumon (TRAVANCORE MEDICAL COLLEGE, Mylapure, Palathara, Kollam, Thazhuthala, Keralam 691020) is one listed option - confirm details by phone before you visit.

How can I book an appointment with a psychiatrist in Kollam?

Call the clinic or hospital number shown on the listing, use WhatsApp where it is shown, or visit during outpatient hours. Ask about the consultation fee, whether an appointment is needed, and which documents or earlier reports to bring.

How much does a psychiatrist consultation cost in Kollam?

Fees depend on the doctor's experience, the type of facility and the tests or procedures involved, and we do not publish unverified prices. Ask the clinic for the consultation fee and any follow-up charges when you call; government hospitals generally charge much less than private clinics.

Which hospitals in Kollam offer psychiatrist services?

Kollam has both government and private hospitals; availability of psychiatrist services varies. Use the listings above as a starting point and confirm departments and timings by phone.

What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who diagnoses mental health conditions, prescribes medicines and can combine them with therapy. A psychologist is trained in counselling and psychotherapy but cannot prescribe medicines. Many people benefit from seeing both.

Are psychiatric consultations confidential?

Yes. Doctors are bound by medical confidentiality and the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 recognises the rights of patients, including the right to confidentiality and to make decisions about their care.

Where can I get immediate help for a mental health crisis?

Call Tele-MANAS on 14416 (free and available round the clock) or dial 108 for emergency services. You can also go to the nearest hospital emergency department or call a trusted person to stay with you.

How many hospital beds does Kollam have?

No public source counts beds city by city. Scaling state data to the city population gives an estimate of about 5,900 beds (around 300 ICU beds) for Kollam. Treat it as a rough guide rather than an official count.

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