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An Insight Into The Problem
The vast majority of people with mental health illness in rural India are undiagnosed and untreated. Thousands continue to live in loneliness and isolation because they are ostracised by society and cannot access care. In the Northern Indian state of Uttarakhand with its 10 million people, there are only 10 psychiatrists and almost no community primary healthcare programs to support victims and families in the long journey to participation in society. The plight of such individuals is profoundly compounded by significant stigmatisation, social oppression and discrimination; factors which merely increase barriers to accessing adequate wellbeing services.
A Panacea of Hope
Project Burans is an initiative of Emmanuel Hospital Association, together with the Uttarakhand cluster of the Community Health Global Network, working to improve access to mental health in Uttarakhand. Click What is Project Burans? to find out more about the work we do.
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An Insight Into The Problem
The vast majority of people with mental health illness in rural India are undiagnosed and untreated. Thousands continue to live in loneliness and isolation because they are ostracised by society and cannot access care. In the Northern Indian state of Uttarakhand with its 10 million people, there are only 10 psychiatrists and almost no community primary healthcare programs to support victims and families in the long journey to participation in society. The plight of such individuals is profoundly compounded by significant stigmatisation, social oppression and discrimination; factors which merely increase barriers to accessing adequate wellbeing services.
Ram Sundar's story is not an isolated one. There is a huge need to increase access to care and for communities to build their own skills in mental health competency in order to support people like Ram Sundar.“My son has finally been able to say my name after 5 years of silence and sitting alone.” I met 25 year old Ram Sundar’s father several weeks ago. He told me how his son became unwell while working as a tailor in Delhi, hearing voices, behaving strangely. They were sure he had been cursed with an evil spirit. None of the visits to traditional healers, and village doctors could make Ram Sundar well. But just 3 months ago, they met staff from our EHA mental health programme in Uttar Pradesh who took Ram Sundar and his father to a nearby Government psychiatrist. Diagnosed with schizophrenia, and supported with medicines and counselling Ram Sundar is now on the path to wellness. “We are so happy to see him better - he even wants to get a sewing machine and start tailor work again.” - Dr. Kaaren Mathias, Project Burans Director, EHA
A Panacea of Hope
Project Burans is an initiative of Emmanuel Hospital Association, together with the Uttarakhand cluster of the Community Health Global Network, working to improve access to mental health in Uttarakhand. Click What is Project Burans? to find out more about the work we do.
