For these patients, an outing to remember
CHENNAI, JANUARY 27, 2019 00:00 IST
Institute of Mental Health inmates catch the sights on a half-day trip across the city
After almost two years, 50 patients of the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) set out on a trip across the city on Republic Day.
Marina and Elliot’s beaches, a church and a temple in Besant Nagar and memorials of leaders were part of the itinerary as they travelled in a bus along with staff members on a half-day trip.
It was one patient’s desire to visit Mahabalipuram that made IMH director P. Poorna Chandrika revive the institution’s earlier practice of taking patients, who improved after treatment, on an outing every month.
This, IMH staff say, helps in providing recreation to patients who are otherwise confined to the campus.
“How will one feel when one is within the walls of a campus every day? When we step outside the gate, it is the sights and sounds of everyday life that gives us a connect with society. So I am planning to make this outing a routine. We can take the improved patients out once every month and sponsors can chip in to help IMH in this effort,” Dr. Chandrika said.
According to the Mental Healthcare Act, patients should not be compelled to wear uniforms, she said, adding: “They wore casual dresses, and we were happy to see them.”
Cause for cheer
For the patients — 20 women and 30 men — the trip brought a lot of cheer.
“They were very happy, and enjoyed every moment of the trip. Our first stop was Elliot’s Beach in Besant Nagar, followed by a visit to the Annai Velankanni Shrine and Ashtalakshmi Temple. After lunch, we left for Marina Beach and they enjoyed playing in the water. They had snacks on the sands of Marina and then visited the memorials of leaders,” said Arunachalam Shanthi, a staff nurse at IMH.
The patients were accompanied by a team of 16 staff members, including three staff nurses, two social workers, four security personnel and attenders.
“Earlier, we had a recreation hall on campus. Every month, we used to take improved patients on an outing, including for a movie. But this was stopped for nearly two years. The present director has revived it now,” she said. During the bus ride, comedy scenes of Goundamani, Senthil and Vadivelu added to their happiness quotient, she added.
How will one feel when one is within the walls of a campus every day?
P. Poorna Chandrika
Director, IMH
CHENNAI, JANUARY 27, 2019 00:00 IST
Institute of Mental Health inmates catch the sights on a half-day trip across the city
After almost two years, 50 patients of the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) set out on a trip across the city on Republic Day.
Marina and Elliot’s beaches, a church and a temple in Besant Nagar and memorials of leaders were part of the itinerary as they travelled in a bus along with staff members on a half-day trip.
It was one patient’s desire to visit Mahabalipuram that made IMH director P. Poorna Chandrika revive the institution’s earlier practice of taking patients, who improved after treatment, on an outing every month.
This, IMH staff say, helps in providing recreation to patients who are otherwise confined to the campus.
“How will one feel when one is within the walls of a campus every day? When we step outside the gate, it is the sights and sounds of everyday life that gives us a connect with society. So I am planning to make this outing a routine. We can take the improved patients out once every month and sponsors can chip in to help IMH in this effort,” Dr. Chandrika said.
According to the Mental Healthcare Act, patients should not be compelled to wear uniforms, she said, adding: “They wore casual dresses, and we were happy to see them.”
Cause for cheer
For the patients — 20 women and 30 men — the trip brought a lot of cheer.
“They were very happy, and enjoyed every moment of the trip. Our first stop was Elliot’s Beach in Besant Nagar, followed by a visit to the Annai Velankanni Shrine and Ashtalakshmi Temple. After lunch, we left for Marina Beach and they enjoyed playing in the water. They had snacks on the sands of Marina and then visited the memorials of leaders,” said Arunachalam Shanthi, a staff nurse at IMH.
The patients were accompanied by a team of 16 staff members, including three staff nurses, two social workers, four security personnel and attenders.
“Earlier, we had a recreation hall on campus. Every month, we used to take improved patients on an outing, including for a movie. But this was stopped for nearly two years. The present director has revived it now,” she said. During the bus ride, comedy scenes of Goundamani, Senthil and Vadivelu added to their happiness quotient, she added.
How will one feel when one is within the walls of a campus every day?
P. Poorna Chandrika
Director, IMH
No comments:
Post a Comment