*6-FEB-2012* *KOCHI* : Mental health projects need innovative initiatives and visionary leadership as there is no paucity of funds. This was the message given at the workshop held at the Town Hall here on Saturday to discuss the possibility of including initiatives in mental health in the 12th Five Year Plan and setting apart funds at the local administration level. The workshop was led by G. Vijayaraghavan, member of State Planning Board, and Dr. C.J. John, chief psychiatrist, Medical Trust Hospital.
The workshop was organised in connection with the inauguration of CVJ Aswas, a community-based initiative in mental health, promoted jointly by Maithri and CVJ Foundation. Union Minister for Food and Civil Supplies K.V. Thomas inaugurated the project on Saturday. P. Rajiv, MP, delivered the keynote address at the meeting, which was presided by Father Jose Alex, chairman of Maithri Foundation Trust. CVJ Aswas has selected Kizhakkambalam panchayat for running its pilot project. Representatives of the panchayat who attended the workshop were asked to conduct an informal survey to identify problems and vulnerabilities. “The three main issues raised from the panchayat were problems related to children, alcoholism and support to the elderly,” said Dr. John. During the interaction, it was suggested that student protection schemes to spot vulnerable children should be generated for the first category. The issue of alcoholism could be addressed in a two-pronged manner. Children could be made to conduct a questionnaire survey in the family itself to identify the issue. Area Development Society members could be sensitised about early symptoms of alcoholism to help prevent people from advancing to full-blown chronic alcoholism. A model needed to be evolved for addressing issues of emotional and physical isolation of the elderly, he said. In comparison to mental health, disability problems are getting more attention of late with new models being generated to address specific issues. A similar attempt is required in prevention, early detection and rehabilitation of mentally affected people. Mr. Vijayaraghavan suggested mapping the key issues in the pilot village in the one-year period when CVJ Aswas would be active, and then evolve a 4-year strategy to address them. Maithri has already been conducting suicide prevention activities and stress handling counselling. CVJ Foundation is the Corporate Social Responsibility wing of the Synthite Group. *‘A model needed to be evolved for addressing issues of emotional and physical isolation of the elderly.'* http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article2864551.ece -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Mental Health Advocacy (News 'N Views) India" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/MhaNewsViewsIndia?hl=en ------------- Affiliated Groups : MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY INDIA [email protected] Discussions on mental health law / policy / plan monitoring / human rights etc [email protected] India-specific news and views related to mental health [email protected] Information and support to carers of people with mental health issues [email protected] Mutual support and sharing of experiential knowledge, skills and social learning amongst peers
