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HelpLine: +91-703 703 8737
"Emotional First Aid" helpline.
IPH History
Psychiatric consultation at IPH
HOW DID IT ALL BEGIN ???
The beginning…..
It all began with just one table and two chairs, and a strong, compelling, earnest desire to reduce the stigma about mental health, and to spread the message of ‘Mental Health for ALL’.
It started when….
We were a relatively closed economy. The IT age hadn’t begun. Cable TV had just about started making inroads, and Mental Health was an ignored, almost zero- priority sector, as stress levels were considered ‘manageable’. The available Mental Health services largely targeted the management of acute psychiatric symptoms – disorders. The stigma around mental disability was at an all-time high.
It was either spoken about in hushed tones or met with rejection or denial.
‘mental health’ (?) then…..
- Was more about mental illness.
- Patients were passive help-seekers and dependent on the professionals.
- Most professionals were personally isolated, cold and out of touch with the changes the patient experienced.
- Helping institutions were bureaucratic and followed rigid hierarchies.
- The physical setting was sterile and intimidating.
- Treatment methods were long, and nurtured passivity
Thane: our city then…
- Was ‘reputed’ for its mental hospital.
- It was exemplary of the old model of mental health, which believes only in ‘treating’ illnesses.
- It also believed in segregating the patient from the social mainstream, instead of integration.
- The ‘Mental Health’ care facilities available were:
- The Regional Govt. Mental Hospital (1880 beds)
- The Municipal Corporation Hospital
- Consultant Psychiatrists and Psychologists in private practice
What changed ?
- Economic liberalisation and globalisation arrived.
- Cities like Thane became booming metropolises.
- Infrastructure developed manifold.
- The population of well-educated, nuclear families increased.
- The texture of community, and the needs of the people changed and increased.
- Society became more consumerist and individualistic.
- Lifestyle changes arrived with changing work patterns, and increased disposable income.
- This brought with it heightened stress.
- Thus concerns about improving and enhancing mental health increased.
- Problems encountered by people increased and were no longer limited to ‘disorders’.
- Day-to-day living became stressful and brought with it ‘problems’ or ‘distress’, in addition to disorders.
- Chinks thus started emerging in the armour of family and social systems.
A CHANGE WAS ESSENTIAL . . .
- A change that addressed these needs.
- The definition of ‘Help’ needed a change to incorporate: A blend of professionalism, and a human touch.
A multidisciplinary team of motivated professionals.
Active participation of society in the process - ‘Help’ had to not only reduce symptoms but enhance ‘Health’ too.
- This is how it all began for IPH, in 1990, with three rooms, a few tables and chairs and a strong will, commitment and a team driven by the steadfast objective to change the outlook about mental health.
IPH Today
The story of IPH is one of continuous commitment to its goal and the conception, and implementation of innovative ideas in a consistent manner.
Dr Anand Nadkarni (Consultant Psychiatrist), along with a devoted tea of Senior Clinical Psychologists.
Dr Shubha Thatte and Dr Anuradha Sohni are the guiding pillars behind this institution
.IPH is ably bolstered by a Board of Trustees which includes eminent people from the community.
A HOME of its own
- Three floors of congenial space custom-designed to help promote our dream of ‘Mental Health for All’.
- The warm and welcoming space contains 13 cubicles for individual consultation, spacious Conference Rooms, a Terrace Theatre, a full-fledged reference Library, and Administrative Office Areas.
- A team of 70 dedicated Mental Health Professionals work here under one roof, assisted by over 30 members of the Administrative Team.
- Over a hundred Trained Volunteers work regularly on different IPH Projects.
- Over 150 families approach IPH daily for individual help.
Names of the Trustees
Dr. Anand Nadkarni
Adv. Prashant Panchakshari
Dr. Shubha Thatte.
Mr. Shashank Rasal
Mr. Subhash Palkar
Mr. Suhas Palekar