MYSURU: People with mental disorders received a fillip, thanks to the ‘Super Tuesday’ programme being held in the district for the past two weeks.
The programme has been evoking good response as specialist psychiatrists are providing free treatment and counselling to those suffering from mental illness.
Due to poor awareness about mental health and non-availability of specialists, most of the mentally ill would not get treatment in the district, especially in rural areas.
The programme helped hundreds of patients suffering from mental problems in the district.
Under the programme, doctors have to compulsorily visit all taluk hospitals, primary health centres (PHCs) and community health centres on Tuesdays and provide counselling and drugs to mentally ill patients. The District Mental Health Programme officer, with help from the department of psychiatry of medical colleges and private practitioners, are conducting the programme.
Minimum essential drugs are being distributed to all PHCs as part of the programme.
In the first phase, hospitals in seven taluk centres of the district have been selected and the programme will be extended to primary health centres after providing training to medical officers.
Vasudevan, a relative of a patient, said: “Earlier, we used to come to the KR Hospital. Those who are suffering from depression and other mental problems are immensely benefitting from the programme.”
Shanthi of Periyapatna said: “My sister is suffering from mental illness. The visit of doctors to our place helped us a lot.”
Dr B N Raveesh, Professor and head, Department of Psychiatry, MMC&RI, who is president of Indian Psychiatric Society, said medical officers in PHCs are being trained on how to identify mental health problems and provide primary treatment to patients.
Complicated cases are referred to the district hospital. The motto of the programme is to help reach mental health care in all villages, he added.
