Fight stigma associated with mental illness: Ajeya Kallam
The Hindu
Campaign to rehabilitate the wandering mentally ill launched
Discussion on issues of mental illness has been a taboo in our society and it is important to reach out to the wandering mentally ill people we come across on roads and streets, and provide them access to mental care facilities with the help of State functionaries, said Ajeya Kallam, Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister.
Speaking after launching ‘Mano Bandhu’, a campaign to rehabilitate the wandering mentally ill, Mr. Kallam said there was a need to increase the number of facilities to cater to the needs of the mentally ill people. He also complimented the organisers for taking up the cause of people who are voiceless, neglected and discriminated against.
Additional DGP A. Ravi Shankar Ayyanar said it was important to recognise that mental illness could be cured and people suffering from it could be brought to the mainstream by providing the right mental health facilities and medication. “We should strive to reach out to all the wandering mentally ill people across the State, give them medical treatment and enable them to lead a dignified life,” he said, informing that the Department of Police had taken similar initiatives in the past for the homeless and destitute kids to ensure their re-union with their family members.