This story is from August 31, 2014

'Set up day-care centres for the mental challenged in all districts'

"As per norms, each district should have a minimum 20-bed facility, including 10 for de-addiction programme.
'Set up day-care centres for the mental challenged in all districts'
MYSORE: Karnataka state mental health task force chairman K A Ashok Pai on Saturday said that the task force would press for the opening of day-care centres in all district headquarters to treat and rehabilitate mentally challenged people.
"As per norms, each district should have a minimum 20-bed facility, including 10 for de-addiction programme. This apart, the districts should have the required number of psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and nurses.
But many districts do not have psychiatrists to treat the mentally challenged patients, the number of whom is growing up. Around 75 lakh people in Karnataka are in need of mental healthcare services. Due to lack of facilities, many depressed people are taking drastic steps of ending their lives," he claimed.
The members of the task force, set up a year ago, have toured different parts of the state and prepared a list of recommendations to be submitted to Karnataka Mental Health Authority on September 5.
Their top priority is the creation of adequate facilities in each district headquarters to treat mental challenged people. Secondly, they want the government to recruit required number of supporting staff members along with psychiatrists. "Also, a mentally ill person requires continuous medication for 2-3 years for a permanent cure. However, (s)he becomes normal after initial treatment. A day-care centre would help such patients," Ashok explained.
District health officer H T Puttaswamy claimed that many patients are being treated and sent back home due to lack of facility. "The proposed day-care centre would enable patients to stay there for three weeks for adequate treatment and food. It requires additional funding," he said.
KR Hospital psychiatric department head B N Raveesh said that the primary objective of the task force is to create awareness about mental health. "It also wants to ensure treatment, and implement the provisions of national mental health programme," he added.
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