A report on successful introduction of tele mental health training for primary care doctors during the COVID 19 pandemic.

Treatment gaps of 60-70%, reflecting, amongst many other factors, Human Resources shortfalls means that 150 million India never accessed mental healthcare. In Punjab, mental health training is required in primary health centers. A short-term synchronous training was conceptualized by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences. A total of 114 primary care doctors participated for the training. Substantial positive changes in knowledge, attitudes and practices were noted. Task sharing and capacity building initiatives can be undertaken during the pandemic to meet the demand for mental healthcare service delivery.

Future-Proofing Geriatric Mental Health Care Services in India: Training and Policy Directions.

BACKGROUND: A burgeoning rise in the elderly subpopulation is being noted in India. This rise has already earned the designation as a shining nation by the United Nations/World Health Organization. This growth will take the elderly subpopulation to 324 million persons above 60 years by 2050. The mental health needs of this subpopulation are varied and nuanced compared to that of the general population. The risk and prevalence of mental health morbidity are also greater. There is an urgent need to gear up the health care systems. CONSIDERATIONS: Various aspects of the ongoing demographic transitions are considered alongside available health information. Legislative mandates and laws are also reviewed to provide context to qualify the action points and recommendations. Recommendations, India must act urgently to strengthen health care delivery systems in a concurrent multipronged approach. These efforts should focus on developing trained Human Resources and adequate infrastructural resources. Review mechanisms to inform on required updates on best practices and evidence-based medicine must also be incorporated and developed to perform periodically.

Addressing the mental health concerns of migrant workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: An experiential account.

The COVID pandemic has affected the world in a drastic manner taking a toll of not only human lives but also the economy and lifestyle. Of all the population suffering, the underprivileged and vulnerable groups have faced the maximum economic burden. Within India, an ample quota of people migrates annually for elementary occupations in service, sales, building and domestic industries. Generally, they are exposed to discrimination, work-rights exploitation and job insecurity. The onset of COVID 19 has accentuated these issues in unprecedented ways. The Apex Court of the country took note of this plight and gave directions to the governments to take care of the immediate needs of the migrant workers. This article attempts to reflect the mental health concerns of the migrant workers who were temporarily sheltered at relief camps across Bengaluru city in the state of Karnataka, during the ongoing COVID pandemic. The article ends with giving recommendations.

A Report on a Series of workshops on "Mental Health Leadership" for Maharashtra State.

The article is a report on a series of workshops conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health And Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, India in collaboration with the Government of Maharashtra for the local leaders responsible for leading, organizing and delivering public mental health services throughout the state of Maharashtra. The overarching aim of these workshops was to sensitize and orient the participants on the mental health services offered/provided by NIMHANS, the collaborative activities between NIMHANS and Govt. of Karnataka to further the cause of public mental health and also to showcase the scope of DMHP (District Mental Health Program) activities in Karnataka. The professionals were divided into 5 batches as per their specialty or role i.e. Psychiatrists, Psychologists and Social Work besides the health administrators (Civil Surgeons and District Health Officers). Each batch underwent the training 2-3 days. Major areas covered included: Farmers' suicide, programs, policies and laws for the elderly, orientation to the new Mental Health Care Act 2017 and a fully functioning District Mental Health Program (DMHP).

Symposium summary on "Community Psychiatry and DMHP-An update".

This summary provides details of a one-day symposium, titled 'Community Psychiatry and District Mental Health Program (DMHP)- An update' that was organized jointly by the Departments of Psychiatry and Epidemiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru in collaboration with the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Karnataka on September 3rd 2018. This symposium was supported by Dr. Ramachandra N Moorthy, foundation for Mental Health and Neurological Sciences, NIMHANS, Bengaluru.

Sero-Negative Systemic Sclerosis: A Rare Presentation.

Systemic Sclerosis is a multisystem disease associated with progressive fibrosis of skin and internal organs. It is diagnosed by presence of characteristic clinical findings and is supported by specific serologic abnormalities. ANA is positive in case of systemic sclerosis in 90 percent of cases. We report a rare case of this rare disease where patient was ANA, Antitopoisomerase I (anti-Scl-70), Anticenteromere antibody negative.