Samvedana Campaign – Tackling Mental Health Issues in Durg, Chhattisgarh

Samvedana Campaign encompasses various initiatives in India, focusing on education, healthcare, women's safety, and tribal welfare to promote social development

Table of Contents

Samvedana Campaign: Background

In 2023, the district administration of Durg district, Chhattisgarh launched the Samvedana (Sensing) campaign to address mental health issues on a large scale. Mental health issues often go unnoticed, especially in rural areas due to stigma and lack of awareness. The initiative aimed to identify, treat, and provide follow-up care to individuals suffering from mental health disorders and those needing physiotherapy.

Objectives

Early identification and treatment of mental health issues.
Creating awareness about mental health in rural areas.
Providing accessible healthcare and follow-up services.

Implementation

Training and Capacity Building: 22 doctors and community health workers received online and in-person training from the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences (NIMHANS).
- Staff was trained to identify mental health symptoms and reduce stigma.
Door-to-Door Survey: Community health workers conducted initial screenings for signs of mental health issues.
- Rural Health Organisers (RHOs) conducted a structured door-to-door survey using a Google form with 10 questions to assess mental health needs.
Awareness Campaigns: Public awareness drives were conducted in schools, markets, and fairs to reduce stigma and encourage treatment.
Screening and Treatment: Patients identified through the survey were screened and provided with counselling and medication.
- Follow-up care and medication refills were made available through public health centres.

Outcomes

Coverage: Over 3 lakh households were surveyed.
Identification: Around 3,000 patients were identified with mental health issues.
Treatment: Treatment was provided to 2,721 patients; follow-up care was provided to 1,376 patients.
Physiotherapy: 3,884 patients needing physiotherapy were identified and treated, including 2,900 at home and 800 in hospitals.
Suicidal Cases and Schizophrenia: Cases of severe mental health issues like schizophrenia and suicidal tendencies were identified and treated.
Accessibility: Medicine refills and consultations were made available at local public health centres.

Challenges

Stigma and Lack of Awareness: Mental health issues were often dismissed or misunderstood in rural communities.
Identification Barriers: Community health workers initially struggled to identify mental health symptoms.
Follow-Up Care: Ensuring consistent follow-up for mental health patients was challenging.

Success Stories

A teenage boy suffering from depression due to bullying was identified and successfully treated through counselling.
A girl suffering from schizophrenia was diagnosed and provided with regular treatment and care.
Even individuals with severe mental illnesses, including those roaming the streets, were identified and admitted to hospitals for treatment.