Psychosocial Rehabilitation of Persons with Severe Mental Disorders in Rural South India: Learnings from Step Project

AbstractPsychosocial rehabilitation (PSR) is an important and essential component in the management of persons with severe mental disorders (SMD), along with pharmacological and psychological interventions. PSR is instrumental to bring positive change in the social and occupational functioning of persons with SMD by providing support and addressing their specific psychosocial needs. Here, we provide an overview of the various PSR strategies offered to persons with SMD as a part of the SCARF Telepsychiatry in Pudukkottai (STEP) program in the rural communities of Tamil Nadu. We undertook an analysis of the project data for the period 2010 –2019 during which 14,496 individuals had received some intervention under the STEP program and the various PSR activities provided are listed. Our results indicate a range of PSR activities were provided to persons with SMD and their family members including facilitating the receipt of disability and welfare benefits, help with employment, obtaining loans from banks to start private small enterprises, to help with emergency and other admissions. Our experiences have been able to demonstrate that it is eminently possible to incorporate and integrate PSR interventions in community based progr ammes for persons with severe mental disorders.
Source: Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Mental Health - Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research