Mobile clinic for mentally challenged

According to the recently conducted National Mental Health Survey, a little over a tenth of the State’s population has some kind of mental health issues.

Recognising the need to take up measures to treat the same, especially in rural areas where it continues to be a taboo, the State government has now taken action.

“The government has appointed a psychiatrist, a psychologist and a social worker in each district and these workers have been given a vehicle with which they will be running mobile psychiatric clinics,” said a Health Department official. In all, it is expected that 32 vehicles will be procured for the purpose.

Stating that people continue to hesitate asking for help from psychiatrists due to the stigma involved, Dr C Ramasubramanian, a senior psychiatrist, said, “Even though Tamil Nadu is far ahead in the field of mental health when compared to other states, people continue to refrain from approaching psychiatrists due to various factors including stigma and lack of awareness.” “We therefore must take up the initiative of reaching out to persons in need instead of waiting for them to approach us.”

Ramasubramanian added that initiatives are being taken up to create awareness among rural persons too.

“When patients are able to understand the nature of the illness, they will be able to immediately contact the Primary Health Centres where they will be administered basic psychiatric treatment,” the health official said.

“The patients will then be referred to the psychiatrist who operates the mobile clinic in the Taluk Headquarter Hospital. This makes things easier for the patient and family, as they would not have to travel much,” added the health official.