CHOPAL-an initiative to take care of village mental health

NMHS (National Mental Health Survey) by NIMHANS 2015-16 shows that 150 million people of India need active intervention for mental health. It also shows that 1% population is at risk of suicide.

The treatment gap for mental health is 70% to 90% (approximately 1 out of 10 affected people reach out for professional help). Lack of awareness and fear of stigmas are the leading factor for such a huge treatment gap.

We at Mindroot are determined to address these tricky issues at the grassroots. The CHOPAL is an initiative to reach the rural population of Rajasthan State of India. The Chief Minister of Rajasthan inaugurated the CHOPAL initiative & flag off the Mobile Bus Clinic OPD for Mental Health.

 The  ‘CHOPAL’ initiative is to create awareness on Mental Health and substance use disorder as well as address the stigma and discrimination associated with mental health in rural and urban settings. Under this strategy, we have developed a systematic set of activities that are interlinked. Here is a brief of the activities as follows –

Pamphlet Distribution or Information sharing for the event: After an initial discussion about CHOPAL with the community leaders, the schedule (date, time and place) is being fixed for the activities and the Mindrooot Foundation gets the pamphlets printed containing the basic information about mentalhealth and substance use disorder and how to address the challenges caused by it and the activity schedule.

Exhibition: As people in the locality have the information about CHOPAL so they plan their visit accordingly and at the scheduled place we install some standees to exhibit the posters on mental health and substance use disorder including basics of Mental Health, Signs and Symptoms of Illness, Stigma and discrimination with a person living with mental disorder and addressing these problems through creating awareness and mitigating treatment gap.

Signature Campaign: After the exhibition counter, a flex is being installed with a message SAY NO TO SUICIDE or Other important messages … for signature campaign. Participants do signature on the flex as a token to be committed and faithful in life and to be sensitive and respectful towards people living with mental issues or substance use disorder.

Seminar: A covered area is suitable for organizing the seminar where we can use the Projector to display some presentations and also may use some video clipping/documentaries to have a better understanding of the topic among participants. The facilitator starts with the national and state scenario of mental health and substance use disorder types of mental health and substance use disorder problems and their possible reasons, sign and symptoms of illness and then explains the main functions of the mind in a very simple way to understand specific behaviour of individuals in given conditions. Special attention is being given to making the participants understand mental health issues that may need medical intervention and this can happen with anyone. Depression, Anxiety Disorders, Schizophrenia, OCD, BPAD, Substance Use Disorders & Suicide etc. are some of the common mental health issues and strategic interventional needed in these cases.

The very important issue in mental health is fear and stigma associated with it and for addressing it we need to spread correct and fact-based information about mental health problems and substance use disorders. Since the burden of the problem is very high and we have limited resources to address the situation, thus we need to give more attention to preventive approaches and therefore, awareness generation is a must. Another critical aspect is the high cost involved in treatment for mental health complications.  

Quiz: At the end of the seminar we organize a quiz session which we announce at the beginning of the seminar and based on the topics explained in the seminar we ask multiple-choice questions. The rules to participate in the quiz are explained by the facilitator and the first-hand raiser gets the chance to give the answer and if not correct then the chance for second-hand raiser. Each question carries one prize for motivation.

Refreshment: a light refreshment for participants is also being offered by the organization.

OPD: BY this time in the event, people come to a decision to take a consultation with Doctor, therefore, we plan the OPD at the end of this CHOPAL initiative. Dr D. S. Poonia, (MD Psychiatry, AIIMS, New Delhi) attends the patients in the Mobile Bus Clinic after their registration at the registration counter. Dr Poonia does the examinations and gives proper attention to diagnose the health problem by actively listening to the complaints or problems being presented by the patients. The counsellor facilitates a counselling session for patients to help them in making appropriate decisions and motivate them to take action for the decision being taken.

The Pharmacist provides free medicines to the patients advised by the doctor and explains to them that how to take those medicines.

This is not a single time activity, we believe in follow up activities and ensure the upcoming Mobile Bus Clinics for OPD.

As per WHO, mental health and substance use disorders are the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide.

Through a CHOPAL, we cover all villagers of a particular village (above the age of 5 years). We make them understand that mental health disorders are real and are the same as other illnesses like the common cold. We are also targeting the stigma associated with mental health disorders and helping people suffering from the same.

People in villages will be able to use professional help for mental health and substance use disorders which in turn will help to improve the quality of their life in all domains (be it personal, familial, social or occupational). So by helping them will help to reduce the socioeconomic burden of people as well as will help foster the growth of our country. 

On average we are expecting around 300+ people (Direct) and 3000 people (Indirect via IEC) to participate in CHOPAL,