Tanya Dutt - Quality Rights Project Gujarat

Tanya Dutt sharing experiences with care givers in Surat, Gujarat about forming of Self Support groups for care givers in Surat as part of the Quality Rights project Gujarat

Finding routes to rehabilitation - on the Mental Health Innovation Network

October 15th: Finding routes to rehabilitation

Tanya Dutt works with AASHA, an NGO based in Chennai, India promoted and run by families of persons with mental illness. AASHA provides rehabilitation through its employment projects. Here, Tanya describes how her personal experiences as a carer for a family member living with mental illness has informed her approach to working with AASHA.

Schizophrenia has played a dominant role in my life as a care giver, to a family member with Schizophrenia, and subsequently as a volunteer at AASHA- an NGO that rehabilitates and reintegrates persons with Schizophrenia and mental health issues. I grew up in an atmosphere that was sensitised to the illness and its outcomes. Love and compassion played a primary role in dealing with the illness. There was always openness in the way we as a family dealt with the illness – there were no closed door discussions, no social exclusions and no disrespect of the individual. Living with someone who has Schizophrenia means empathy becomes an emotion through which you view life every day.

"Living with someone who has schizophrenia means empathy becomes an emotion through which you view life every day"

 

I carried this sensitivity into my work at AASHA, where the focus is on rehabilitation through sheltered employment. AASHA runs a 40 bedded residential rehabilitation home and four sheltered employment units in Chennai India. Residents of AASHA are placed in these centres to begin the process of rehabilitation. Many are reluctant to work and have to be motivated through incentives for the time they spend in the centres. The managing staff is instructed to be flexible over shift schedules and changes in mood and behaviour. Incentives are decided based on regularity, personal hygiene, and interpersonal relationships with other residents and staff members. Over time I noticed that the residents working in the employment centres were beginning to set goals. Self motivation was high. They want to reunite with their families, secure jobs, find a partner and enjoy social interactions. There are relapses and regressions but they are outnumbered by the happy outcomes. When a relapse occurs, there is a review and we begin the process of rehabilitation again when the time is right. I find that engagement through employment is a key factor in the return to near normalcy. It is a huge motivating factor for me to continue my work in mental health when I watch someone who is battling with mental illness striving to find a balance between the illness and dealing with the challenges of leading a life in the main stream society. 

Overview of 2014

Events of 2014

1. In Dec 2013, AASHA residents were taken for a trip to Kanjeevaram. They were taken to Kanji Madam and had darshan at the KAMMATCHI AMMAN TEMPLE. This visit was arranged by Mr. Natrajan.
2. Christmas was celebrated in AASHA home with a lot of festivity. Mr. Manuel - Treasurer of Aasha participated in the function.
3. AASHA residents accompanied Ms. Nandini AASHA committee member for a marathon. She sponsored snacks and beverages for the residents during this period.
4. Our residents were taken to Egmore museum, Parathasarthy Temple, Beach and Jumbo Circus for their enjoyment. All expenses were borne by AASHA.
5. AASHA residents were taken to a theatre to watch block buster movie – Kochadaiyaan. Movie tickets and bus journey was sponsored by Kromatiks & Insulants Pvt Ltd.
6. Vada production and sales which had stopped has resumed again. The stall is manned by AASHA resident Ms. Vijaya & Ms. Uma with help from the social worker.
7. Independance Day August 15^th was marked at AASHA home with flag hoisting, speech from members and distribution of snacks.
8. ATMANIRBHAR TRUST run by AASHA president Ratna Chibber and Tanya Dutt - AASHA secretary donated a multi utility van to AASHA home for the purpose of transporting AASHA residents to their work places. At present AASHA Residents Mr. Ganeshan, Mr. G. SundarRaman, Mr. Srinivasan, Mr Dharmarajan who manages AASHA shop in mogappair and some others are using this transporation.
9. AASHA residents Mr. G. Sundar Raman, Mr. R. Srinivasan, Mr. S.Srinivasan have been employed in employment unit managed by ATMANIRBHAR TRUST.
10. AASHA president Ms. Ratna Chibber was a guest on Satyameva Jayate - a program of AAMIR KHAN FILMS and features her work in the field of mental health – AASHA shops and her company Kromatiks – an employer and donor of AASHA have been featured in the program. 

Annual day at Schizophrenia Awareness Association Pune.

Annual day at Schizophrenia Awareness Association, Pune.

Schizophrenia Awareness Association Pune works for people suffering from Schizophrenia and other mental illness and for the caregivers of such persons. SAA's main objectives are;
To create awareness and remove the stigma about Schizophrenia and other mental disorders in the community.
To create Self Help Group Activities for persons with mental illness and their parents -care givers.
To provide day care and rehabilitation activities for persons with mental illness.

For more information;

www.schizophrenia.org.in

SAA held their 14th annual day on 18th of Dec 13' at their Dhayari centre in Pune. The event was presided over by founder of SAA Dr. Jagannath Wani and President of SAA -Amrit Bakshy, other members of SAA and care givers. Ratna Chibber and Tanya Dutt from Aasha attended the event and were honoured for their work as caregivers.

Below are links to articles that covered the event;


PUNE MIRROR:

http://www.punemirror.in/article/2/20131219201312191007241777f76a970/Schizophrenia-convention-brings-caregivers-together.html

SAKAAL TIMES

http://epaper.sakaaltimes.com/SakaalTimes/19Dec2013/Normal/page2.htm

CABINET CLEARS MENTAL HEALTH CARE BILL

THE HINDU JUNE 14TH 2013 - AARTI DHAR

The Union Cabinet on Thursday cleared the Mental Health Care Bill, 2013 that makes access to mental health care a right of all persons. Such services should be affordable, of good quality and available without discrimination, it said. The proposed law decriminalises suicide.

The Bill, in consonance with international laws, has the provision of Advance Directives — described as a progressive and far-sighted step. No person who has recorded an Advance Directive to State that he or she should not be admitted to a facility without consent can be so admitted.

A rights-based Bill also has a provision wherein a person with mental illness can appoint a nominated representative to take decisions for him or her. Under the provisions of the Bill, government has an obligation to provide half way homes, community caring centres and other shelters for mentally ill people. This has been planned under the District Mental Health Programme in the 12th Plan.

In 2005, the National Commission on Macroeconomics and Health reported that 10-12 million or one to two per cent of the population suffered from severe mental disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and nearly 50 million or five per cent from common mental disorders such as depression and anxiety, yielding an overall estimate of 6.5 per cent of the population. The prevalence of mental disorders was higher among women, those who were homeless, poor and living in urban areas, Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad told The Hindu.

The new Bill, once approved by Parliament, will repeal the Mental Health Act, 1987, which had vested extraordinary power in the hands of the treating psychiatrists. There was enough evidence of misuse and unscrupulous families collaborating with psychiatrists in addition to badly functional or non-functional Central and Mental Health Authorities primarily because of lack of funds.

Under the proposed new law, there is provision for voluntary admission with supported admission limited to specific circumstances; appeals can be made to the Mental Health Review Commission, which will also review all admission beyond 30 days and free care for all homeless, destitute and poor people suffering from mental disorder. The Bill provides right to confidentiality and protection from cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, in addition to right to live in a community and legal aid. It bans the electric-convulsive therapy without anaesthesia and restricts psychosurgery, Mr. Azad said.

He said the Bill tries to address the needs of the families and caregivers, and the needs of the homeless mentally ill. It provides for setting up Central and State Mental Health Authorities, which would act as administrative bodies, while the Mental Health Review Commission would be a quasi-judicial body to oversee the functioning of mental health facilities and protect the rights of persons with mental illness in mental health facilities.

Environment Awareness on World Environment Day at AASHA

 A program on Environment awareness was held at AASHA on World Environment Day June 5th. 

Mr. Lakshminarayan - General Manager Utilities & Services at Hyundai Motors spoke to our residents on the importance of saving water and caring for our surroundings. 

A lively and informative session with the residents interacting with Mr. Lakshminarayan who was graciously answering their curious questions on the environment.