“SCARF is the brainchild of Dr. M. Sarada Menon, who as the Superintendent brought in a sea change during the 18 years of her tenure with the Institute of Mental Health, Chennai. Upon her retirement in 1978, Dr. Menon felt the compelling need for a voluntary organization for the rehabilitation of the mentally ill beyond the vast expanse of the mental hospital, the goal was achieved in February 1984, after she found like-minded partners.” That was the beginning of SCARF in the words of B. Raju who is the Chief Administrative Officer of SCARF and has been with the organization from the day it was born. SCARF was set up to bridge the gap between government hospitals and private psychiatric clinics in the city.
SCARF functions with a big team of doctors, psychiatric social workers, psychologists, vocational training supervisors, occupational therapists, nursing staff and administrative staff. I met Dr. Padmavati of the SCARF team and she explained “Schizophrenia is a major disorder of the mind which impairs a person’s thinking, feelings, emotions and behaviour. Approximately 1% of the adult population can be affected by the illness. It affects men and women equally It is generally said to be caused by chemical imbalances in the human brain. Schizophrenia is also known to run in families. Effective treatment is now available for managing the symptoms of the illness. Shock treatment or Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is used when the person is not responding to treatment, is very aggressive or is suicidal. ECT is given under anesthesia and is a safe technique. Rehabilitation is necessary and is important to re-integrate patients into the community. SCARF and other organizations in Tamilnadu have created a lot of awareness among the public about early symptoms of Schizophrenia. We have also been very effective with our home intervention programs.”
Patients are provided consultations at SCARF’s out-patient facility at Anna Nagar everyday, free of cost. In most cases, with continued care and treatment the patients are rehabilitated into the society and are able to pick up their normal lives again. Day care is also offered at the Anna Nagar centre. Social skills, communication skills, group work, group therapy are all imparted and a lot of emphasis is laid on vocational training on different areas for both men and women. They are also trained to run certain areas of the SCARF administrative work efficiently.
Dr. Shanta Kamath, a senior psychiatrist at SCARF said “We aim to reach out to as many people suffering from mental illness and do what is possible to help them live better lives”. She spoke of the residential care provided at SCARF’s facilities in Thiruverkadu, Mahabalipuram and at Anna Nagar for patients who are unmanageable at home. This service is offered at at a cost sharing basis. Home intervention program of SCARF has helped reach out to a lot of persons, who were unwilling to come to the daycare facility for rehabilitation. A team visits patients at home, they counsel the families of patients and provide support to help them manage the patients.
Stigma and discrimination is still very much a part of the lives of patients suffering from mental illnesses. Dr. Padmavati said that it was often difficult for patients to get jobs because even if they were skilled and qualified, employers were hesitant to make job offers. Similarly, marriage is also a challenge. She however added, “There are a few of our patients who are married. We have met the prospective spouses and clearly explained the situation and the medication that is required to control the symptoms and prevent a relapse”.
SCARF lays a strong emphasis on research into the subject of mental health and schizophrenia. A World Health Organization (WHO) center for Mental Health Training and Research, SCARF has produced several significant research work that has influenced the understanding and management of the illness.
As I walked around the SCARF building in Anna Nagar, I felt touched to see the dedication and passion of its team take shape as the patients were able to go about the vocational training, motivated to face the world with a will to win over fate and faith to win tomorrow.
Contact SCARF at
Plot No. R/7A, North Main Road, Anna Nagar (West Extn.),
Chennai – 600 101, India,
Telephone 91 44 26153971
Fax 91 44 2615 1073
Email scarf@vsnl.com
www.scarfindia.org
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