Finding support · Kerala
How to get a first mental health appointment in Kozhikode
You know you want to speak to someone, but you’re not sure whether to go to the Medical College campus or call a counselling clinic. Here’s how each first step works.
For an adult assessment at IMHANS, start with outpatient registration at the Government Medical College campus. If you want to request a counselling session directly, Wellness Clinic lists a Calicut branch and says you can contact it without a doctor’s referral. At IMHANS, registration starts the intake process. It doesn’t guarantee you’ll see a psychologist that morning.
Two ways to start in Kozhikode
| Where | How to start | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| IMHANS adult outpatient service | Check the adult OP days and hours. It lists Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9 am to noon. The institute is on the Government Medical College campus. | The team hears why you’ve come and explains what happens next. Its adult service page says people given an outpatient appointment see a psychiatrist, with other team members involved where needed. |
| Wellness Clinic, Calicut | Use the Calicut contact in the clinic’s branch listing. The clinic says you can book directly without a referral. Its Calicut branch is at Pottammal Junction. | You can ask for individual counselling. The clinic also offers online sessions. Contact it for a time and the cost of the appointment you’re being offered. |
The pages used here don’t establish the total fee for either route. If the cost will decide whether you can go, ask about the first visit and any separate charge for an assessment or follow-up before taking time off. Confirm the session language and whether you’ll need another visit. Neither service is operated by Counsilio.
What happens after you register at IMHANS?
According to the institute’s adult outpatient instructions, a team member asks why you’ve come and explains the service. If the team decides an outpatient appointment is appropriate, it gives you a next step. That may mean coming back on an OP day. Clinical psychology is part of the team; the first appointment and later counselling are different steps.
If you’re coming from outside the city, call the number on the official hours page before setting off. Ask which building to report to, whether registration is open that day, and whether you should plan for a separate appointment. The published opening window doesn’t tell you how long the visit will take.
Before you take a bus or book a slot
Say you’re coming in from Vadakara and have one morning off. One short call can tell you whether to plan for registration or travel for an appointment that’s already confirmed. If you need a video session because getting to town is difficult, ask the clinic what kind of appointment it can arrange by video.
One way to start the conversation
“I’m trying to arrange my first appointment. I’d prefer to speak in Malayalam. Do I come in to register, or can you give me a time? What will the first visit cost, and is there anything I should bring?”
Once you have a time, note the building or branch, who you’re due to see, and how to let them know if your plans change. If you have previous reports or a list of medicines, you can ask whether to bring them. You don’t need to explain everything to reception to ask how to start.
Common questions
Do I need a referral to start?
IMHANS’s adult service page says people can contact the service during outpatient registration. Check the route for the kind of appointment you need. Wellness Clinic explicitly says a doctor’s referral isn’t required for direct booking.
What if I’m not ready to book?
Read how to make a first support call in Kerala. It explains what to say and how to ask about next steps. A support call and a scheduled appointment are separate.
If there’s immediate danger or you need urgent medical help, go to the nearest emergency department. Don’t wait for a routine clinic appointment.