Published Oct 28, 2023 | 8:30 AM ⚊ Updated Oct 28, 2023 | 8:30 AM
This tour was first conducted in September 2019 and was halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic. (Supplied)
The words “mental health institute” often evoke a certain imagery in people’s minds — one filled with misconceptions and unwarranted fear. To demystify this, the Department of Mental Health Education, NIMHANS, has taken an innovative approach of providing a walking tour of the institute.
Speaking about “Stories Against Stigma: Walking Tour of NIMHANS”, Professor and Head of the Department of Mental Health Education, Dr Meena KS, tells South First, “The Department of Mental Health Education conceptualised this unique approach with the main aim of destigmatising the public’s attitude towards mental health institutions, persons with mental illnesses, and professionals treating them, by helping them enhance their existing levels of mental health awareness.”
By opening its doors to the public, NIMHANS offers an uninhibited look into what mental health facilities are actually like, thus busting myths and showcasing the dedication and care that goes into mental health treatment.
This tour was first conducted in September 2019 and was halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, on Saturday, 28 October, it will be resumed.
Walk with us to break the stigma around mental health. Register now for our 'Stories Against Stigma: A Walking Tour of NIMHANS' on October 28, 2023. Let's dispel myths and celebrate recovery together. This event is open to the public.
Registration link: https://t.co/6LoZgPOtRk pic.twitter.com/tMEweED6hN
— NIMHANS MHE (@mheduNIMHANS) October 25, 2023
“This walking tour of mental health facility is the first of its kind. We did this in 2019 and we were the first to do it around the world. Later, a couple of other countries started similar programmes,” explains Dr Meena. She adds that various such campaigns are being done by the institute in an attempt to stay in touch with the community.
“When people come here, they see how beautiful the wards are — very airy, lots of sunlight — rather than the perception of dark, dingy rooms created by cinema. They see patients roaming freely with family members. They see how people receive ECT (electroconvulsive therapy) or shock treatment — and they understand that it is not like how it is shown in movies. Also, they get to witness the cutting-edge research done in mental health institutes. It will be made very interesting for the public,” she explains.
As the world progresses with massive advances in science and medicine, one would think that the shadows of the past would be left behind. Yet, disturbingly archaic perceptions of mental health treatments still linger in the public mind.
While the horror stories of “shock treatments” and “dark rooms” are mostly relegated to the annals of history, these images persist in public consciousness, often fueled by inaccurate portrayals in global cinema.
Doctors and mental health professionals stress the importance of first-hand experience in understanding the reality of today’s mental health institutions. “Existing evidence also shows that social contacts play an important role when it comes to reducing prejudice, stigma, and discrimination,” says Dr Meena.
Indeed, numerous studies have highlighted the positive impact of in-person contact in battling stigma associated with mental illnesses.
The idea behind this innovative concept is simple: Seeing is Believing.
When individuals visit contemporary mental health institutions, they witness the empathy, care, and cutting-edge treatments offered to patients.
Mental health institutes are often portrayed as dark and dingy spaces in cinema. (Creative Commons)
They understand that the dark and terrifying tales they’ve heard or seen in media are starkly different from the truth. This personal experience can be a powerful tool in shifting perspectives and challenging deep-seated beliefs.
While movies and TV shows have given us memorable moments of entertainment, they have often been culprits in perpetuating negative stereotypes about mental health. ECT, for instance, has been portrayed in an overwhelmingly negative light, despite being a valuable and safe treatment option for certain conditions.
“Even when ECT is administered, there’s a prevalent negative attitude towards the professionals involved,” remarks Dr Meena. “This paints an unfairly negative picture of dedicated professionals who are committed to the well-being of their patients.”
The benefits aren’t limited to visitors alone. Patients in mental health facilities, too, can gain from these visits, feeling less isolated and more connected to the broader community.
Dr Meena stresses that this tour is strictly for those people without any educational background in mental health.
Interestingly, for the tour happening on Saturday, 28 October, there has been an overwhelming response from the public, with over 150-200 registrations.
“Given the constraints of managing a large crowd and ensuring each participant gets an immersive experience, only 40 individuals will be selected for the tour. These participants will be divided into two batches, with tours commencing at 10:00 am and 10:20 am, respectively. Each tour is expected to last between 2.5 to 3 hours, led by knowledgeable faculty members,” Dr Meena explains.
The range of participants is diverse, with many senior citizens and families from various professions expressing interest. The objective is not just to educate, but to captivate.
Dr Meena informs that there will be a minimum of four such tours in a year, scheduled once in three months. A minimum charge of ₹200 will be applicable as a registration fee.
If you’d like to attend the walking tour of NIMHANS, write to mheducation.nimhans@gmail.com or call 7902758129.
