Dial 100 to help Chennai's mentally ill destitute

The Banyan, a non-governmental organisation working for the rehabilitation of the mentally ill destitute in Chennai, has recently gone a step ahead. It now ensures they do not remain on the streets.

The NGO has joined hands with the Chennai Police and the Institute of Mental Health to launch "Dial 100," a mental health helpline to reach out to homeless, mentally ill people. The organisation has received 1,347 calls since the agreement was signed in December 2004.

Though The Banyan's reach was initially confined to women, it now reaches out to men too, under the Dial 100 programme. Of the 1,347 calls it has received, the NGO has rescued 556 people, of which around 200 are men. Under The Banyan's re-integration programme, 72 people have been re-united with their families. In February, The Banyan received around 30 rescue calls.

There are Banyan members stationed at the police control room and when they receive a call about a destitute mentally ill person in a particular area, they rescue him/her.

"Our Dial 100 team goes to the place immediately . The rescue team takes a kit of clothes, food and first aid. In case the person requires treatment, we take him/her to the nearest hospital or clinic," says Vandana Gopikumar, a founder-trustee.

The NGO has a centre called Adaikalam (meaning refuge), where around 300 women have been rehabilitated and are undergoing treatment.

"To be admitted, certification by two psychiatrists is required, after which the person is taken to the Institute of Mental Health and treated. While The Banyan rescues them, the police help us with the legal formalities. Treatment and medicines are provided by the institute and rehabilitative measures are taken care of by The Banyan," Gopikumar adds.

"We have conducted two sensitisation programmes for police personnel at sub-inspector and inspector levels so far. Through these 6-day programmes, we try to create awareness among the policemen about the illness, including the legalities involved. Now, they refer more people to us," Gopikumar says.

The NGO rewards the policemen who have done exemplary work in tracking mentally ill people. It now wants to tie up with other NGOs and the public to scale up operations.

"We can be a source of information for others. It will help us scale up our operations," Vandana says.

For more, visit www.thebanyan.org