TeleMANAS cell posts video msgs to fill treatment gaps

Indore: Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States (Tele-MANAS) cell Indore authorities in a first of its kind initiative started using video/audio messages through social media to fill in existing treatment gaps in mental health illness. The authorities are using video messages from superintendents of government hospitals and head of departments of MGMMC and publishing it through their social media handles on twitter, Instagram, facebook, and youtube.They have also used audio messages containing information and appeal in Government Mental Hospital, Banganga to inform people about mental health illness and helpline. Psychiatrist, Dr Krishna Mishra, who is overseeing work of Indore cell, TeleMANAS said, “An innovation is chalked out wherein social media platforms would be used to percolate information about mental health illness and inform people about the helpline to fill the treatment gaps.”
The recent National Mental Health Survey reported a treatment gap of 83% for all mental disorders in the country.
“The aim to fill this gap is to make people aware about mental health illness and the eradication taboo related to this through such engagements. The plan is not only to include medical college or health department officials but also IMC, administrative officials to spread helpline details to the last mile,” said Dr Mishra.