Open house: Does Chandigarh lack decent facilities for persons with mental disabilities?

Modern lifestyle to blame

The number of patients suffering from mental issues are increasing. Mental problems have accelerated with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Studies at the PGI have shown that modern lifestyle habits like late night use of internet, chatting etc have increased cases of depression. Sleeplessness due excessive use of mobiles is a major cause of mental disease, deafness and eyesight problems. Under such circumstances psychiatrists should be posted in sector wise healthcare centres to counsel those suffering from mental diseases and prescribe medicines.

NPS Sohal, Chandigarh

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Use available facilities first

Ask any city resident to list available facilities for mentally challenged and probably they will draw a blank. First make people aware about existing facilities. Only after existing facilities have exhausted the Administration should explore new options.

Sapna Sharda, Chandigarh

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Sadly, no home for such people

Our school, St John's High School, works closely with mentally challenged. A person with mental disabilities has been resideing with us (our helper's son) for past many years. Sadly, there is no home for such people. We desperately need a place where mentally ill people can be taken care of, given what they deserve and where their families can get respite, especially those working.

Mrs Kavita C Das

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Problem is stigma attached with disability

There are a number agencies both government and private working for people with mental disabilities. The problem is the stigma attached with mental disability. People do not go to doctors for treatment at right time. NGOs can help by educating people about treatment and management of mental problems. There schools/institutions where mentally disabled can be educated and rehabilitated.

Bubby Soin, Chandigarh

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need to Strengthen monitoring, evaluation

People with mental disabilities are neglected in the community because of inaccessibility to services, lack of healthcare, schools, vocational education programmes and jobs. Monitoring and evaluation should be strengthened with information dissemination related to disabled. Rehabilitation of disabled persons is a challenge. Such persons should be given medical advice and required facilities.

Vijay Malia, Chandigarh

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Modern living behind mental health issues

Chandigarh definitely needs care homes for people with mental health issues. The Administration can rope in non-profit organisations for providing recreational facilities, psycho-social care, skill training and basic facilities to ensure comfortable and inspired living for those with special needs.

Manu Moudgil, Chandigarh

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Govt agencies must rise to the occasion

Long drawn Covid 19 pandemics has left many people under mental stress. Mental illness is not their fault. Its costly treatment aggravates patients' problems. The government agencies must rise to the occasion and extend a helping hand to unfortunate victims of circumstances instead of leaving them at the mercy of some NGO.

SC LUTHRA, Chandigarh

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Upload info about help on website

NGOs play a major role in care of persons with mental disabilities. But, the Administration is not focusing on the issue. It should upload details of help, which can be provided to disabled, on the website dedicated to persons with mental disabilities. Free doctor visits, medicines and equipment to improve lifestyle of mentally challenged should be provided by the authorities.

Avinash Goyal, Chandigarh

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Protect them from neglect/abuse

The mentally disabled are often left uncared for by society. Apart from their parents (or siblings/ partner), there is no one to take care of their basic needs. The UT Administration urgently needs to come up with some good assisted living facilities to safeguard mentally disabled people. This will reduce their sufferings and protect them from abuse/neglect. Mental healthcare professionals should come forward to help in this noble venture.

Dr Manisha Gopal, Mohali

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There is no place to live

Treatment and rehabilitation facilities are there for mentally disabled, but for the inclusive living of those in the older age group there is really no place for them to live in the absence of parental and family support should such a situation arise. Therefore, there is a dire need for setting up such healthcare and living facilities of people with mental disabilities. This task can be assigned to committed NGOs.

Rajwant Sandhu, IAS (retd)

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Admn should run rehab facilities

As per the MHCA 2017 access to mental healthcare is the right of every citizen. So, the government should make sufficient provisions as may be necessary for a range of services required by persons with mental illness. The Chandigarh Administration should run the rehabilitation facilities as it's a relatively small UT. Managing facilities may be feasible in the UT unlike in bigger states.

Dr Kamlesh Kumar Sahu, Chandigarh

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UT should set an example

Compared to western countries, there is still lack of good assisted-living options for persons with mental disabilities in India. Chandigarh, with its excellent resources and mental health professionals, can lead the way. Once the UT Administration decides to start some good project of community living, many NRIs, corporates and professional organisations will come forward to help. The City Beautiful must set an example for other parts of the country to follow.

Dr Renu Gupta, Kuwait

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Celebrate 'R U Ok Day'

Chandigarh lacks decent facilities for person with mental health issues. One of the common barriers is lack of education, access to mental healthcare, the stigma attached for seeking help and policies and legislations. The Chandigarh Administration should rope in NGOs to create awareness from a young age in schools, colleges and universities. Slogans such as 'It's Okay not to feel Okay' should be used frequently. Says such as 'R U Ok Day' should be celebrated to create awareness and support people struggling with life's ups and downs.

Dr Ashima Soni, Chandigarh

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UT doesn't consider section as important

Being a mother of mentally disabled child, it breaks my heart to see that the Chandigarh Administration has not considered this section of society as important. Housing facilities and work environments being built for old, physically challenged, orphans and other sections, but nothing for people with mental disabilities. A housing and medical aid facility is the need of the hour. It would give some relief to many parents of such children.

Lovleen Sidhu, Chandigarh

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Start long stay group homes

I am 78-year-old taking care of my wife, who is suffering from cancer and a son with mental disability. There are many parents like me, who have similar issues. The Administration should start long stay group homes just as they run old age homes for persons with mental disabilities. The Social Welfare Department can run such group homes for paid and non-paid categories.

Satish Kumar, Chandigarh

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UT lags in long stay facilities

Chandigarh provides adequate treatment facilities to persons with mental disabilities (PMD). However, it lags behind in providing long stay facilities. Prayatan, an NGO, registered with the UT Administration, is running various programmes for the PMD since 2004. Now, the NGO has started residential facility for long stay and treatment of the PMD at Sampla village, Fatehgarh Sahib. The UT Administration should assist NGOs working in this field.

Shaminder Singh, Chandigarh

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Requests have yielded no results

I lost my husband last year. I am also a cancer survivor. Many parents like me have been requesting the Administration for a long stay group home for persons with mental disabilities in Chandigarh, but nothing has happened till date. It was the suggestion of the previous UT Advisor to make Indira Holiday Home an inclusive place for both senior citizens and persons with mental disabilities.

Bhupinder Kaur Sidhu, Chandigarh

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A new concept has emerged

The Chandigarh Administration has successfully integrated mentally challenged individuals at the primary school level and in vocational training programmes at DART, Sector 32. What is lacking is the assisted lining. A new concept of integrating such individuals with senior citizens is emerging. This has great meaning since both the groups have similar issues like they are lonely and need assistance for living.

Dr Bimla Nehru, Chandigarh

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Assisted living facility is the answer

There is a dire need for a mental health facility for adults in and around Chandigarh. Assisted living facility is the answer for them since their caregivers are also aging. The target demographic or group in and around Chandigarh has voiced their concerns. They should be heard and helped by the Chandigarh Administration. No assisted living facility exists in North India yet. It's high time the Administration should establish one such facility.

Ambika Agnihotri, Chandigarh

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Existing facilities can be used for rehab

Due to social and economic changes in society, more and more people are suffering from mental depression and related diseases. There are hardly any facilities to help such persons to adjust and accommodate in society. Some existing facilities in the city can be used to rehabilitate such persons. NGOs or corporate houses can run and provide such facilities for persons with mental disabilities in the city.

Suresh Verma, Chandigarh

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No sheltered accommodation

Being a psychiatric social worker I work with persons with mental disabilities and their caregivers in Chandigarh. It is unfortunate that such persons have to suffer in the absence of sheltered accommodations, required as per the Mental Health Care Act 2017. I have seen such facilities running successfully in Bengaluru where I underwent training. Similar residential homes are possible in Chandigarh where mental health professionals are available at large.

Gurpreet Singh Saroud, Chandigarh

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There is nothing on ground

According to survey among leading psychiatrists in Chandigarh, there is an urgent need for a half-way home for 30 to 40 persons and long-term group homes for 90 to 100 persons (male and female). The new Mental Healthcare Act 2017 specifically mentions about these two community living facilities. Sadly, we have nothing on the ground. The Chandigarh Administration with its resources and help from mental health professionals can easily set up these facilities if they have the will.

Anoop Inder Kaur, Mohali

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Who will take care of the disabled?

Chandigarh has all resources (infrastructure, funding and mental health professionals) for providing good residential facilities to persons with mental disabilities. Why the UT Administration is not fulfilling its statutory duty? It is important to provide community homes for such people. Such homes can be jointly run on the pattern of Senior Citizens Home by the Social Welfare Department, parents, NGOs and guided by professionals. The authorities must know that problem gets magnified when parents of wards with mental disabilities become old or die. Who will take care of them?

Manmohan (Mac) Sarin, Chandigarh

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Hardly sufficient infra

Chandigarh should have facilities to deal with persons with mental disabilities. Dispensaries, healthcare centres and polyclinics set up in each sector to deal with health issues hardly meet requirements of persons with mental disabilities. The Administration should arrange psychologists, counsellors, psychiatrists and nursing staff in each dispensary and health centre to cater to needs of such persons. Retired medical staff can be called for providing voluntary services.

Abhilasha Gupta, Mohali

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Myth about people with disabilities

There is a widespread myth and misunderstanding that persons with chronic mental disabilities cannot live independently in society. Such individuals require assisted living facilities once their parents/caregivers are no longer around. To begin with, in Chandigarh, there could be 8-10 large houses in different sectors or on suitable campus to meet needs and requirements people with mental disabilities. Indira Holiday Home is just perfect for such persons.

Sanjay Chopra, Mohali

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Vocational rehab the Need of the hour

Many people with severe mental disabilities go to DART, Sector 32, for vocational training. The facilities available there are limited. More day care and vocational centres need to be set up for persons with mental disabilities. NGOs and private players can play a crucial role for rehabilitating such persons. Vocational rehabilitation can provide employment in various sectors to disabled.

MS Billa, Chandigarh

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Infra, facilities yet to be utilised

Chandigarh has the infrastructure and facilities, which are yet to be utilised, for providing succour to persons with mental disabilities. For jobs, there is hardly anything for such persons. For public sensitisation and integration, next to nothing. Apart from highly functional younger people with mental health challenges, the subgroup that worries me is older people with early dementia setting in. The number of people, who need is proper care homes with medical facilities available on campus, is larger than we can admit. We must start building these.

Unita Vasishta, Chandigarh

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Mental health needs more care

Mental health needs more care and attention than physical health. NGOs and social organisations can play a vital role in helping people to get rid of mental disorders by taking to yoga, acupressure, meditation, physical exercises and spending more times in open than remaining indoors.

Col TBS Bedi (retd), Mohali

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Provide counselling

Mental disability cases are on the rise all around. The pressure of various aspects on humans causes mental disability. There is a need of providing quality counselling to affected people. The Administration can always rope in NGOs for providing facilities to cure mentally ill patients. Awareness campaigns must also be started to inform people about services provided by the Administration and NGOs for mentally disabled.

Wg Cdr (Dr) JS Minhas (retd), Mohali

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A neglected section of society

A section of the community is still neglected and seemingly unheard and unseen. This group is people with mental disabilities. To a large extent, our hospitals are able to relieve acute symptoms and provide long-term medicinal support to such people, but there are multiple other factors, which come into play in these cases. A place is required where they can live, if there's nobody to take care of them. They can also learn other skills. Support from an NGO might be a good way to take this forward.

Dr Harkamal, Chandigarh

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Ut Administration should provide infra

Mostly mentally disabled are abandoned by poor parents especially migrants. They are left to lead miserable lives. They need a highly structured environment, staffed for 24 hours and meals. In Mohali, Parabh Aasra is doing a great job for humanity. They have homes for the destitute at two locations. The Chandigarh Administration should provide infrastructure to establish homes for mentally disabled.

Col Balbir Mathauda (retd.) Chandigarh

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Listen to persons with disabilities

All facilities and proper guidance should be provided to persons with mental disabilities. One should listen to a person with such disability to find what is actually disturbing him/her. Moreover, teachers must be trained to communicate with mentally disabled. Lessons should be designed according to their needs.

Aaffreen Kaur, Chandigarh

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Need to help the less fortunate

I don't think there is any doubt about the need to help those less fortunate than us. The mentally challenged must have a home where they can live with dignity. If we cannot provide shelter for them then we have failed as a civil society.

Rita Singha, Chandigarh

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Set up A home just like senior citizens

I have been working with the mentally challenged people for the past 30 years. All I have heard from their parents is "What after us". It is heart breaking to know about their concern with which they have to live for their whole life. Chandigarh being a modern city can set an example by having a home for persons with mental disabilities.

Neelu Sarin, Chandigarh

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A request to UT admn

This is a fervent request the Chandigarh Administration to establish a home for persons with mental disabilities. This facility is lacking in otherwise well-planned City Beautiful. We do hope that this request of UT residents for this much needed facility will become a reality soon.

Sumeet Johar, Chandigarh

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Society must take cognisance

The greatest fear and worry that a parent has is when they have a special child. They often ask themselves 'What happens to my child after I am gone?' It's imperative that a society takes cognisance of this hard reality. I am surprised that Chandigarh, a city with a vision, has not thought of having a home that can nurture and provide security to children and persons with mental disabilities.

Neelam Man Singh Chowdhry, Chandigarh

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It's govt’s duty

People are judged by the way they treat their most misfortunate. Surely, a city like Chandigarh that boasts of being modern and beauty, cannot refuse to shoulder responsibility of those afflicted with mental illness. It is government's responsibility and duty to provide a space for such citizens, who suffer from mental disabilities. This is an urgent appeal for doing so.

Farida Khan, Chandigarh

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Still waiting for tangible solution

There are many Senior Citizens Homes in Chandigarh run by the UT Administration and private organisations. There is no such home for mentally disabled/ill persons. Many such persons don't have their parents alive or they are old and unable to support them. I along with few parents met the UT Administrator, Adviser and Secretary, Social Welfare, but still waiting for the tangible result for the issue.

DR Paul, Chandigarh

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Their condition is pathetic

A home for the mentally disabled persons has been a long-pending requirement in Chandigarh. The Administration, please do look into this matter as soon as possible because some persons have nowhere to go when their parents are no more. Their condition is pathetic and surely they need our and the UT Administration's cooperation.

Rekha Singh, Chandigarh

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Admn doesn't have positive approach

Chandigarh is lacking in facilities for persons with mental disabilities on par with those extended to senior citizens. Despite having Indira Holiday Home in Sector 24, the UT Administration is not coming out with positive approach to provide facilities to persons with mental disabilities.

Manpreet Singh, Chandigarh

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Admn has done nothing to date

The most important need is sheltered accommodation for persons with mental disabilities, especially when their parents get old or are no more. In July 2019, a list of over 70 such persons was submitted to the Chandigarh Administration. Sadly, nothing has been done till date. Few parents have died in this period and some persons are not traceable.

Joginder Kaur, Chandigarh

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No one will take care of our daughter

I am 73 years old retired engineer residing in Mohali. My wife is 67 years old heart patient. Our 33 years old daughter suffering from intellectual disability is studying in Sorem, Chandigarh. No one in my family is ready to take care of her after our demise. As per disability Act 2016 and Mental Healthcare Act 2017 there should be a community centre facility in the tricity where mentally challenged wards can be accommodated after their parents are no more.

Ranjit Singh, Mohali

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QUESTION

Chandigarh is witnessing vaccine complacency as more than two lakh beneficiaries are due for their second dose. In view of a threat posed by Omicron, how can city residents keep their guard on against the new variant and possible third wave?

Suggestions in not more than 70 words can be sent to [email protected]