Prayagraj: Medicos dealing in mental health chalk out awareness programme on world schizophrenia day

PRAYAGRAJ: At a time when different hospitals of the country and abroad would be observing Sunday (May 24) as the World schizophrenia day, authorities of the district mental health cell of Motilal Nehru divisional hospital of the city would also be holding some events, online.
"With the purpose of spreading awareness among the people regarding the nature of this condition and the need to take treatment, usually many programs are conducted on this day in this regard but this year, the peculiar situation caused by the social distancing norms necessitates a different approach and accordingly, we would be making people aware in a different way", said Clinical Psychologist at the hospital, Dr Ishanya Raj.
She said that this year, the theme of the world schizophrenia day is "stay connected" and Covid-19 pandemic has taught us that it is so important now, more than ever, to stay connected and reach out for support when schizophrenic patients need it.
Detailing on the series of events that the team of medico has planned, Dr Raj said, "Some of the things that we would be doing include wearing purple clothes to spread out the message of purple theme, clicking group photos with the family wearing purple clothes or with purple background and sharing them through social media to race awareness".
Those with schizophrenia must get full support form their family, friends and society. Schizophrenia can be a remitting relapse illness, but early diagnosis, treatment and medication can improve the outcome significantly, said Dr Raj.
Besides, sharing information through virtual media (audio video social media) regarding the nature symptoms causes and treatment of schizophrenia and making a video on "I too can break the stigma" and sharing it through social media would also be done, shared Dr Jayanath B P, consultant psychiatrist, district hospital, Kaushambi.
Sharing posters, poems, stories, information on with the theme as schizophrenia in various groups has also been planned, he added.
In terms of such patient in the district, Dr Raj said, everyday around 10 to 15 patients suffering from schizophrenia attend psychiatric OPD at the district hospital Prayagraj and district hospital Kaushambi. With the help of medicines and psychotherapy majority of them had shown significant improvement. They are currently leading a normal life taking care of their daily routine, family and occupation, she added.