A Special Campaign to sensitize local traditional and religious healers on mental illness and psychosomatic diseases

Gangtok, 6 November: The Department of Psychiatry, Singtam District Hospital in collaboration with 7 Primary Health centers  has initiated a special campaign to sensitize local traditional and religious healers on mental illness and psychosomatic diseases as a part of suicide prevention strategy in East Sikkim.

Team of Doctors comprising of Dr Satish RAsaily ( Addiction Medicine Specialist), Dr Manoj Mishra ( Rangpo PHC), Dr Diam Pundi Lepcha ( Pakyong PHC), Dr Shetal Chettri ( Samdong PHC), Dr Bunnu Pakimo ( Sang PHC), Dr Sidhant Basnett ( Rongli PHC), Dr Roshni Tamang ( Machong PHC) & Dr Sajna Poudyal ( Rhenock PHC) shall conduct the said campaign in Singtam, Rhenock, Samdong, Machong, Sang, Rangpo, Rongli, and Pakyong with an objectives to reach out to local traditional and religious healers to educate them on early signs and symptoms of mental illness, depression, psychosis to develop better linkages to facilitate referral of mentally ill clients to health centers.

Dr Satish Rasaily ( East District Nodal Officer , Mental Health) informed that 90% of family members seek help of local traditional healers instead of mental health specialist for the treatment of mental illness. Most of them rarely seek psychiatric help because of stigma, ignorance and lack of education. Another disturbing fact is that almost 90% of mentally ill patients remains untreated and thereby negatively impact the prognosis of mental illness. It takes almost 5- 10 years to avail psychiatric consultation delaying treatment initiation even for those who seek help. Therefore, by the time they reached to psychiatrist, most of them are suffering with chronic mental illness.

The key to effective treatment of mental illness is early diagnosis and prompt initiation of medical management of mental disorders.  This highlights the importance of mental health education and developing a positive collaborative relationship with traditional healers. The Singtam DMHP Cell in collaboration with 7 Primary Health center has initiated a special project to educate local traditional/ faith healers on early signs and symptoms of mental illness to facilitate referral to health system considering the fact that almost 90% of mentally ill patients seek help of faith healers for the treatment of mental health problems.

Dr Manoj Mishra emphasized that mental illness is a disease of brain caused by chemical disturbances inside brain rather than an act of evil SPIRITS , past KARMA, WRONGDOINGS, OR an individual FAITH or written destiny. Brain diseases needs to be treated medically by psychiatrist and mental health experts. Recent scientific advances has lead to discovery of medicine that can treat mental disorders, suicidal behavior and addiction.

The team conducted the said camp at  Machong PHC, Pakyong PHC and Duga BAC on 5 Dec 2016 to promote early identification of mental illness and facilitate referral to health centers for early intervention & treatment initiation.