To help people overcome difficult situations in life and to encourage them approach the nearby Primary Health Centre for counselling, awareness programmes were organised in schools and public places in Erumapatty block here.
As part of Pudhu Vazhvu Society Project, the District Metal Health programme is implemented in the block on a pilot basis. The programme aims at creating awareness among communities on mental health issues, counselling and treatment. The message is being disseminated through dance and drama in schools and public places in 24 panchayats.
Officials said that awareness programmes are being conducted everyday in school and public places during evening hours.
“It is to identify the persons and motivate them to approach the PHC for treatment. Instead of distributing pamphlets or using public address system, the method of conveying the message through dance and drama reaches the people easily,” they added. They said that the students may face depression in schools due to certain incidents and may not reveal it to anyone, which might affect their mental health. Hence, the objective of the programme is to make them come out and discuss the issues with doctors, they added.
