Community Mental Healthcare
Parivartan(Transformation)
Udavum Karangal took a big leap by way of extending its activity to Community Mental Health Care.If families were supported to care for their mentally ill members, then their abandonment could be prevented. Parivartan, an initiative of Ratan Vidyaakar, is one such project which takes psychiatric treatment to the door steps of villages. The uniqueness of Parivartan is that it reaches out to the most vulnerable and suffering section of society, the mentally ill. It prevents them from ending up on the streets and become victims of human trafficking.
Need for Parivartan in Rural Areas
Lack of mental health care
Superstition and stigma attached to mental illness
Lack of awareness of mental illness
As a result the mentally ill person and the family go through immense suffering. Often the person is chained up or abandoned.
PARIVARTAN, a remedy to this tragic situation, was started on 10th October 2012 – the World Mental Health Day. This activity is carried on in the villages of Coimbatore and Coonoor by a team of Social Workers, Medical and Para- medical Staff and Volunteers headed by Ratan Vidyaakar.
Pilot Study & Awareness camp
A pilot study is done to identify the villages, the Panchayat and the project area. Work begins after getting the permission from the Panchayat leader. A door- to- door survey is conducted and a rapport is built with families of mentally ill members.
Screening camp and treatment
Awareness and screening camps are held in various villages. The team and the Psychiatrist meet the patients and the treatment begins with medication and counseling.
Home visits and follow up
There is a regular follow- up. The Team visits the families and distributes free medicines. They also guide the family and ensure that the patient has been taking the medicine regularly. The Team also looks into other problems faced by the family. For example, if there is some other illness, the family is advised about the treatment available. Parivartan sponsors the education of the patient’s children and distributes study materials. If the family is very poor, assistance for basic home needs (rice, oil etc.) is also given.
Udavum Karangal spends about Rs. 1000/ patient / per month for medication.
Success Stories
Parivartan has transformed the lives of thousands of mentally ill people and their families in the rural areas around Coimbatore.
Men who were chained up now live in freedom and dignity. Many have become bread- winners for their family.
The Story of Subbulakshmi: During the Awareness camp in Madukkarai, the Parivartan Team found Subbulakshmi in the portico of the house chained by her mother. Having failed in her 12th exams, she became depressed and isolated herself. As days went by, she became violent and her mother had to chain and keep her confined. Parivartan team convinced the mother that Subbulakshmi’s condition would improve with treatment. Though she is still under medication, she is almost normal and is free from her chains. She also works independently.
PARIVARTAN I
The phase I of this project cater to the medical needs of mentally ill persons living in the villages in and around Coimbatore. Having successfully covered most of the area and identified mentally sick persons, proper medical advice and treatment have been provided. Regular follow ups and free medicines are continuing.
Parivartan I
PARIVARTAN II
Encouraged by the success of Parivartan Phase I, phase II of Parivartan began in the villages of Nilgiris in 2015.Parivartan reaches out to the tribal population, especially those living below poverty line. Due to lack of adequate facilities for treating the mentally ill in the Nilgiris, Parivartan has a very important role to play.
Parivartan II
