Vibhavanam evokes good response

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: ‘Vibhavanam’, the year-long mental health programme, is making positive signs in the Rajaji Nagar Colony in the city. The programme, which started on October 10, the World Mental Health Day, has successfully passed its first phase - to capture the hearts of the residents. “The residents are excited over the programme. It has already made an impact on the women and children,” says 50-year-old Sidharthan, a resident of the colony and local coordinator of the programme.   “The colony was selected for the high number of cases reported from there. We will roll out a complete mental health programme which will cover a wide range of issues from substance abuse among youths to serious mental ailments,” said Dr Anil Prabhakar, professor and head, Department of Psychiatry, Medical College.  “We have planned a continuous programme to ensure sustainable results. The initial stage is over and the residents have accepted us. Now, we are working on to identify individual problems and the next stage is clinical intervention,” he said.  ‘Vibhavanam’ is touted to be the first of its kind mental health intervention programme in the state. It is being implemented by the Psychiatry Department of the Government Medical College in association with the Kerala Mahila Samakhya Society and MANASA, a voluntary health organisation.    “We started with a two-day mass sensitisation programme,” said Nazeer, social scientist at the Department of Psychiatry. “We held an exhibition on mental health titled ‘Arogyam Janamanassukalil’ at the colony which evoked a good response. Our volunteers also conducted classes for the women and children there. On the final day, we held a candlelight vigil in which almost all homes participated. The next step is to identify the target population,” he said.  “Children and youth are our main focus. We wish to bring about a positive change through them,” Nazeer said. For this, ‘Vibhavanam’ has joined hands with balasabhas, the children’s programme launched by the City Corporation in the colony. “More than hundred children are members of the balasabhas. We divided them into three groups; LP, UP, High School and above. Our main target is the third group,” he said.   A Vibhavanam Adolescent Forum has been formed with children studying in high school and above. “Besides ensuring their personality development, we will engage them as volunteers of the programme. Through them, we will reach  all sections through them,” said Nazeer.     “Community intervention programmes are imperative for ensuring mental health and Vibhavanam is a good sign,” said Ciney Paul, a social worker. People are not even aware of several mental ailments like stigma, negative schema (mind setup), ignorance, prejudice and discrimination. The state also faces a dearth of mental health education professionals. Though excited by the response to their project, the Psychiatry Department is not thinking of any other similar programmes for the lack of psycho-education teachers to train volunteers.