Day care rehab centres for mentally ill will now be residential care units: Kha

 Day care rehabilitation centres for mentally-ill patients set up by the State government at district hospitals, under the Manasadhara scheme, will soon be upgraded to residential care units.

Presently, 13 day care centres are operational in various districts. These centres would be upgraded to provide round-the-clock health care by providing facilities for stay for those undergoing treatment for mental illness at these centres. As of now, caregivers or family members of the patients ought to bring these patients to the centres in the morning and take them back in the evening.

The proposal was made last week by the Karnataka Mental Health Task Force to the State government in a high-power meeting headed by the Minister for Health and Family Welfare, U T Khader.

Speaking to Deccan Herald on the eve of World Mental Health Day, Dr Ashok Pai, Chairman, Karnataka Mental Health Task Force Committee, explained that this was the need of the hour as the number of patients dropping out of treatment midway is high at the day-care centres. “The caregivers ought to bring them back to the centres and take them back everyday. This would be feasible for a week or two. They gradually drop out of treatment,” he said and added, “This has been one of the primary challenges under the scheme.”

In the districts where the non-government organisations are running these centres can afford running them as residential centres can start off immediately. An additional Rs 5 crore has been proposed for this.

Dr Pai said that with this, not only can the mentally ill be treated well but also be made self-dependent and responsible and thus be made part of mainstream society.

The residential stay will only be permitted for a period of 21 days till the patient is cured and no client would be allowed to stay for over three months’ time. Dr Pai said, “This should not become a place where people just leave the patient and go. This will only be a temporary period of stay till recovery.” The 40-bed day care centres not only provide psychiatric treatment but also have recreational activities for the mentally ill.

Dignity in mental health

The theme for this year’s mental health day is “Dignity in mental health.” According to World Health Organisation, “Dignity is one of the most daunting challenges in mental health. Dignity in mental health means steps are taken to safeguard the well-being of people with mental health conditions, thus liberating them from the shackles of self-stigma, low confidence, low self-esteem, withdrawal and social isolation. To break the barrier of prejudice and insensitivity, dignity and mental health have to go hand-in-hand.”

Dr G Vamadev, Director, Department of Health and Family Welfare, said that the State’s Manochaitanya scheme was aimed at ensuring that those with mental illness could live a life of dignity and a radio talk was given to create awareness about the same on Friday.