Latest News And Events
2007
Shant Manas Inaugration Cermony on 24th November 2007 in Madurai, India.
Mental Health Rehabilitation Programme
Shant Manas Community Mental Health - The Approach
Shant Manas is a Mental Health development organization serving rural communities in South India. It is a non profit, non government organization offering a free and accessible mental health support service for ADULTS suffering from mental disorders and associated condition in the villages, covering four villages viz. Thuvariman, Keelamathur, Melamathur and Kodimangalam. Shant Manas doing the service in their door.
Nature of Community in Rural Areas
- There is no awareness about the mental health and mental illness
- Most of the people are unorganized workers, living under poverty line
- They are not able to utilize the Mental Health services available in the urban centre
- There is no consistent follow-up after treatment in most of rural areas
- More chances for relapse
- They are not aware of the importance of mental health
- Most of the affected persons (mentally ill people) are living in the age group of earning stage
- Their families are suffering because of their mental illness
- Myths and misconceptions about mental health
ShantManas Approach in Rural Areas
- Shant Manas – staff approaches the patients who are suspected to be Mentally ill, at their doors steps
- Initial home assessment is done
- Then comes building rapport with the patients
- Refers to a Psychiatric consultant
- Further Diagnosis is done by Psychiatric consultant – care plan
- Medication given with care
- Follow-up visits are made
- Family Therapy/counseling
- Rehabilitation and linkage with other NGOs
- Utilizing existing resources
- Good Rapport with the local influential leaders
- Participating in the other health related programs
- Contact with Health care providers to get more referrals
Shant Manas – Interaction Strategies
- One-to-one interaction with a person who requires mental health care
- One – to Group of mentally ill patients
- Group discussion/ Review/ Feed back collecting
- Conducting Support group meeting in the Field of Mental Health
- Couple/Family counseling
- Follow up services
- Promoting Mental Health seeking behavior
- Promoting community participation
ShantManas community mental health teams consists of Service coordinator, Senior Psychiatric consultant and Mental Health outreach workers.
Mental illness can be treated with simple, relatively inexpensive methods. Much can be done to improve the quality of life of sufferers by raising mental health awareness in rural communities.