November 15, 2014
To ensure that basic Mental Health services are available and affordable to the Rural Population. In order to bridge the treatment gap, an attempt has been made through Community Mental Health Volunteers Training to create a pool of grass root Mental Health Volunteers at the village level to anchor the mental health services. These Volunteers are expected to liaise between the Mental Health Professionals and the people in need and ensure their care.
With the support and encouragement of SARI Foundation, Netherlands, this Community (Rural) Mental Health Volunteers Training was launched on 18th August 2014 and completed on 21st October 2014. The 20 trained Volunteers have identified 616 Persons with Mental Health Problems in the Project area and they have ensured that 297 persons are attending the treatment camps. They offered field support to the Mental Health Professionals in reaching out to those in need and in addressing the stigma practised in the Community. Periodical Home Visits have also ensured medical compliance and better awareness among family members.
In a Valedictory Function held on 15th November 2014 at M.S.Chellamuthu Institute of Mental Health and Rehabilitation, the Community Mental Health Volunteers who have successfully completed their training were recognized by a Certificate of appreciation from Mr.Gerard Helmink, SARI Foundation, Netherlands. He also released a Handbook on ‘Mental Health’ for Community Mental Health Volunteers. He appreciated the good work carried out by MSCTRF. Volunteers and facilitators of the training shared their experience.
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