April 7 2016, 17.55 PM IST || Pocket News Alert
Bangalore, April 7, 2016: Jerry Pinto, writer and journalist released a directory of Mental health services compiled by students of the MA Development programme, Azim Premji University. The event was part of a 2 day Round Table called Taking Charge: understanding critical issues in mental health. The round table brought together academics, mental health professionals, survivors, care-givers and students to share narratives, perspectives on mental health and an understanding of the range of interventions and care.
“The mental health directory is a fantastic effort by the students and fills a critical gap in information in the city. It is possibly the first of its kind and provides information in easily accessible ways and the introductions to the different sections go beyond just the psychiatrist and mental hospitals as the first point of contact. It is helpful for a user to decide what kind of support to seek out,” said Jerry Pinto releasing the directory.
Speaking about the event, Shreelata Rao Seshadri, faculty and convener of the round table said, “Our attempt has been to break the silence and invisibility of a critical issue like mental health in India and bring a range of people from across the country together to share, learn from each other and sharpen the strategies of working with young people on mental health issues”
Over 25 participants from diverse backgrounds ranging from psychiatrists to social workers came together to address the emerging concerns around Youth and Mental Health in the Indian context. There was ae a special focus on setting the context of youth mental health issues and the nature of support, interventions and efforts by different stakeholders. Significant among stakeholders are institutions of higher education. It created a space for sharing of the issues and strategies that have worked at a range of educational institutions in promotive practices and providing mental health services to their students.
The Round Table was able to deepen an understanding of the recent changes in the structure of mental health service delivery, the structure (public or private) of the mental health system, the Mental Health Act and its implementation, as well as critical concerns, opportunities and challenges they open up.
As students who have done a course on Mental health and living in a community we were able to listen to different kinds of initiatives that really make a difference in addressing issues of stigma, shame and actively work with people out of hospital settings and demonstrate success in building sensitive communities and responsive systems, said Saumil Sharma a student of the university and part of the organizing team of the event.