1. MENTAL HEALTH AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
INTEGRATION OF PEOPLE WITH PSYCHOSOCIAL DISABILITY
Rajaram Subbian
Guru Raghavendra
Sujatha Gopi
« Basic Needs India »
Bangalore, INDIA

2. MAGNITUDE OF PWMI 1- 2% of any population has severe mental illness
In India, minimum of 13 million live in this condition
Less than 10 % of them either have access to treatment
Rural & uneducated families opt for non-scientific and traditional treatment methods
In 2013, 31 million Healthy life years were lost due to mental disorders
India has 3000 Psychiatrists; 400 Psychiatric Social Workers; 700 Psychologists and 800 Psychiatric Nurses

3. MI & Chronicity leading to Psychosocial Disability
MI often affects the young
Mostly slow onset
Myths, Misconception, Stigma & Ostracism keep them locked up in isolation
Late recognition of the need for treatment
Non-availability of MH services and non-accessibility delay treatment
Often, only medical management is offered

4. PSYCHOSOCIAL DISABILITY
Disability experience of people with mental illness and the direct/indirect restrictions on community participation due to their mental health conditions…
These restrictions include the loss/ reduced abilities to function, think clearly, experience full physical health and manage the social and emotional aspects of their lives…

5. Basic Needs India
BNI Works with poor and disadvantaged Persons With Mental Illness (PWMI) & families.
BNI works primarily in rural areas, working with 30 partner organizations in 30 districts in 6 states, touched the lives of 20,296 PWMI and their families.
Working with Chris Underhill, Naidu (of BNI) evolved CMHD model by ‘consulting’ PWMI and their carers
It has five components

6. Community mental health – Building access for affordable treatment
Capacity building – of stake holders at various levels
Sustainable life skills – involving PWMI + Families towards effective reintegration
Research, policy and advocacy – Building evidences to advocate/change policy
Administration and management – develop sustainable system to ensure quality and optimum utilization of resources

7. PROCESS
Identify Active Local Organizations, consult them and strengthen Partnership through training
Partner Organizations (PO) interact with Community, build awareness and generate Volunteers
BNI Train Volunteers and staff as mentors (in Identification + Psychoeducation + Supervision)

8. Volunteers work with Identified Persons with Mental Illness and offer psycho-education to their families
Persons WMI + Families are introduced to DPOs or PO initiates Family Support Group (FSG)
DPO/FSG, community + CBO take advocacy ahead and secure Government benefits
Process of Psychosocial Reintegration of PWMI is demonstrated through Reintegration Camp with community participation

9. Lessons learnt that is common to working with all Disabilities

10. 1

11. Mental Health & Mental Illness is a Continuum…
We all are scattered on it with factors such as Heredity, Socio-cultural disadvantages, Poverty, Disability, Neuro-bio-chemical Challenges, Stresses…
+ ve
Mental Health
Mental Illness
There is NOBODY 100% always ‘Normal’

12. 2

13. 6 CONVICTIONS in Humanitarian Work
Human beings are good by nature
We have capacity more than we require
We exhibit our capacity within limitations
Human behavior, in general, is predictable
Human behavior can be modified
Working through an Individual, Family or Group or by altering the situation, behavior can be changed

14. 3

15. Help Break Barriers Self-made External factors.. By Community
By Family
Self-made

16. 4

17. Extended Family/ Friends
Community
SUSTAINABLE
Organic SUPPORT
Extended Family/ Friends
Family
Person

18. 5

19. Everyone has mental health/psychosocial issues… they are more in PWD than non disabled
Their and carers’ psychosocial well-being is vital to strengthen social support system
It is mandatory for DPOs and CBR Workers to learn Basic counseling skills, to listen, empathize, help ventilate, build confidence and be supportive to PWD and their carers

20. 6

21. For Psychosocial Reintegration
Budgeting, independent functioning, vocational skills, new IG skills
COMPLEX SKILLS
Roles, responsibilities, social relationship, cooking, shopping, commuting…
ADVANCED SKILLS
Personal care, hygiene, communication, money handling, mobility…
BASIC SKILLS