Community Mental Health Program (CMHP)
Lack of awareness and limited access to mental health care coupled with social stigma makes reaching out to people with mental illness a tougher task. In economically backward social groups, both urban and rural, people with mental illness are subject to neglect, isolation, abuse and traditional forms of treatment – all of which have a negative impact on them.
APD’s Community Mental Health Program has been operational since 2004. The program is active in 4-5 taluks of Davangere district.
Program Objective
Social integration and economic rehabilitation of people with mental illnesses while increasing acceptance and knowledge about mental health among communities.
APD’s Approach
Awareness is critical in the Community Mental Health program. To reach people, APD conducts many activities such as:
- Mental health training
- Mental health wall writing in key public places
- Street exhibitions in public places
- Stress and stress management training
- City cable awareness programs, etc.
SCHOOL AND COLLEGE AWARENESS PROGRAM
APD conducts stress management training to support SSLC & PUC students suffering from stress because of board exams, competition, parents’ expectation, etc. The trainings are conducted by experts from the field and trained personnel. Teachers are also sensitized to the need of listening to the students’ voice.
Over 3436 students have been sensitized though the stress management training.
RESIDENTIAL TRAINING PROGRAM FOR PWMI
A residential training program of 4 days is conducted for PWMI and caregivers in Davangere district. The training involves:
- Team building activities
- Orientation on RPD Act, 2016; PWD Act, 1995; and The Mental Healthcare Act, 2017
- Sharing of case studies with parents and other caregivers
- Awareness on local self-employment
- Discussion on career challenges
- Address by experts and prestigious guests
