Brief History:
The small busy township, Sivakasi, famous for its Fireworks and Match sticks, pathetically did not have the basic needs to take care of people suffering from Mental illness and Mental Retardation – “The Mentally Disabled”. These unfortunate persons were wandering in the streets with very scanty clothes, grabbing food from the garbage, portraying a picture of complete nuisance, in short a stray animal!
In a bid to eliminate this crisis, Sri Sathya Sai Samithi Volunteers of Sivakasi in collaboration with M.S.Chellamuthu Trust and Research Foundation (An Institute of Mental Health and Rehabilitation) and Mahatma Montessori Higher Secondary School, Madurai had a vision! They desperately wanted to serve the mentally disabled people of Sivakasi who had been uncared and abandoned by the society because of lack of professional help and the stigma attached to mental illness.
The dream came true in May 2002 – the First Rural Community Mental Health Camp was inaugurated! Initially there were around 45 beneficiaries in and around Sivakasi. Sri Sathya Sai Samithi Volunteers were truly selfless and made regular home visits to bring them to the camp site. Camps are organized on every 3rd Sundays. Sai Volunteers and a Technical team from M.S.Chellamuthu Trust and Research Foundation have taken a pledge to help the mentally disabled. The Technical team consists of Psychiatrists, Medical Officers, Psychiatric Social Workers, Psychologist, Physiotherapists, Staff Nurse and Pharmacist who are highly dedicated and committed.
In the past 6 years, the number of beneficiaries increased steadily and has now grown up beyond our imagination. A Kalyana mahal has been offered to conduct one day camps at free of cost, free food has been made available for the mentally disabled and their caretakers by Sai Volunteers during camp days. Psychiatric medicines are donated by Mahatma Montessori Higher Secondary School, Madurai. Awareness programme on mental health have been conducted frequently for the Sai Volunteers and to the public to eliminate the stigma attached to mental illness.
The beneficiaries have grown from 45 to more than 350 per month and at the one day camp now these poor patients are receiving free medicines, free food and they are on the road to recovery. What was once a distant dream is now a reality! They have recovered and are happily integrated into their family where now the individual not only receives food, clothes shelter but also respect.
Collaborating Organizations:
- Sathya Sai Samithi, Sivakasi
- Mahatma Montessori Matriculation School, Madurai
Medicine Support
- RANBAXY Pharmaceutical Ltd.
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