Three Exciting new projects…
The Gender Equality Movement in Schools (GEMS) -project has started in August 2008. This project is funded by the International Centre for Research on Women (ICRW), Delhi. The aim is to sensitize adolescents in schools to gender-based discrimination and violence and begin a process of behavior change. This project is in its initial phase of data collection working in the two schools of Bicholim (where the Manthan project is being implemented) and two schools in Verna. The data once collected will be used as a framework for having interactive sessions with students to promote gender equality and reduce violence and risk behavior through a life skills intervention package. In the Manthan schools, the appointed School Health Counselor will do this. Gracy Andrew is the Principal Investigator. Donna D’souza is the Project Coordinator.
The COPSI -a Community Based Care for People with Schizophrenia, is a randomized controlled trial, which seeks to evaluate the clinical effectiveness and cost effectiveness of a community based intervention for improving illness symptoms and social functioning in people with schizophrenia in low-income settings. The Wellcome Trust funds the project. There are two sites for this trial-Sangath, in collaboration with the Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour (IPHB), Goa and Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF), Chennai. Prof. Vikram Patel and Dr. Thara Rangaswamy are the Co-principal Investigators at these two sites respectively. Dr. Sudipto Chatterjee is the Trial Coordinator and Ms. Madhumitha Balaji and
K.K. Pratheesh are the Project Coordinators for the project. The team has started developing manual for training community health workers. Questionnaires for assessing outcomes of usual care at IPHB and the sample size needed for the main trial were formulated and data collection of these were started. Data regarding estimation of numbers was recorded and analysed. An observation checklist of components defining usual care was developed. Two in-depth interview guides for assessing illness experiences and outcomes in schizophrenia were developed. A three day training workshop (in collaboration with the Chennai team) was conducted for the research assistant in Qualitative methods and In-depth interviews; based on assessments of performance the research assistants were selected and enrolled into the project.
Then we have the Global Mental Health Website project -the goal is to develop a website that will act as a global resource for networking information and ultimately the primary resource for Global Mental Health. A network of International Mental Health experts are the content editors and advisors for the website. The website is currently password protected and is open for access only to the editors and core members of the group. We aim to open the site for all by 1st October 2008. The global launch of this website will be on the World Mental Health day i.e. 10th October 2008.
As a part of capacity building a range of workshops has been conducted; for teachers on Behaviour Issues and orientation on Health, Hygiene and Emotional Development at Keshav Seva School, Bicholim by Mrs. Prachi Khandeparkar and Dr. Gauri Divan. A session for members of Navy Women’s Welfare Association was organized by Achira Chatterjee at INHS Jeevanthi on Women and Mental Health. Networking with the NGOs to talk about the National Trust Schemes and other activities was conducted by Percy Cardozo. A four days workshop was conducted on Research methodology for the Final Year students of Home Science College. The recourse persons for this workshop were Dr. Neerja Chowdhary, Gracy Andrew, Teddy Andrew, Roberta Uchao, Preetam Barrros, Madhumitha Balaji and Smita Naik. We were also invited by the sisters from Nitya Seva sadan, Rivona to conduct a workshop on handling adolescents for the heads as well as care takers of their institutions from all over India. The workshop was conducted by Gracy Andrew.
On the other hand, Dr. Neerja Chowdhary, Roberta Uchao and Madhumitha Balaji attended a workshop on Cochrane Systematic Review Protocol Development organized at South Asian Chochrane Network held at Christian Medical College, Vellore.
The process of setting up Manas GP clinics have been completed successfully in the first week of June. The Health Counselors and the Health Assistants were trained and placed in 12 General Practitioners clinics all over Goa. Running in Phase was conducted from June 08 to first week of July 08. The main GP phase II was launched in 12 clinics from 9th July 08. In total clinics 4009 patients were administered checklists until 31st August 08, of which 3002 patients being screened, of which 685 patients were identified being stress related health problems? Ingeborg Mismahl, Technical Advisor for Mental Health, Afghanistan and Silke Lutzelshwab, London School Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London visited the Manas project.
Sangath in press
An article on Manas project was covered in Gomantak times title “Mansik Ajararvar Yo…” The LEL team was interviewed on Goa Doordharshan’s regarding their project and the work done in Goa and it will be broadcast on 17th September 08. We have also launched our exciting column in the Gomantak times (Marathi) called “Sukh – dukhacha ‘chatting’. This column is being jointly managed by our chair person, Vishram Gupte and Gracy Andrew with the aim of reaching out to the masses on stress related issues that are brought up by them.
News about our Service providers
In these three months a number of new service providers have joined Sangath, 4 Health Assistants and 3 trainee Health Counselors have joined Manas. Kishori Mandrekar, project Secretary for Manas got married. Sarvesh Tamoskar and Sonali Mane have joined as a System Assistant and Account Assistant respectively. Luiza Lobo, Albina Gonsalves and Jessina Pereira have joined the COPSI project. Alpana Sanvordekar, Anna Pereira and Mabel Pereira have joined the GEMS project.
On the down side, Shilpa Parab, Fatima Gomes, Gauravi Shirodkar and Vividha Barde have resigned from Manas.
From the Administrators Desk
The Annual General Body Meeting was held on the 26th July 2008 and the Managing Committee was elected for the year 2008 – 2010 and they are Mr. Vishram Gupte – Chairperson, Nazneen Sarosh Rebelo – Vice Chairperson, Dr. Amit Dias – Treasurer, Gracy Andrew – Secretary, Dr. Mrinalini Sahasrabhojanee – Jt. Secretary, and Prof. Vikram Patel and Ashwin Tombat as the members. Prof. Nevrekar and Dr. Ramaswamy released Sangath Biennial Report 2006 – 08 at the Annual General Body Meeting.
Events to watch out in future…
Sangath and Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF) will be organizing a course in Leadership in Mental Health in collaboration with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, from 10th to 21st November 2008.