By admin 0 Comments

1. What is a support group? What is the meaning of ‘support’ in this context?

Members of a support group are those who have common problem or issue. In our context, it is a mental health challenge arising from a family member. It can be a self-help group in true sense of the term when it is a group of the persons, for the persons and by the persons with an identified common problem. Through sharing information and experiences shubhankars lend moral support to each other. Being interactive yet non-judgmental, these groups help members to overcome feelings of blame and shame, isolation and the pain of stigma. Apart from moral support, members could also render material support to each other, especially in times of distress or emergencies. Even a word of solace or encouragement means a lot at such times. Mostly, a caring response is spontaneous for needy persons.

By admin 0 Comments

2. What is the significance of the phrase ‘self-help?’ In a support group do we not help each other? Then, why is it called ‘self-help?

Generally, persons who face challenges in life muster strength and courage to fight back. The trauma saps the will and energy of a person to such an extent that he may expect help from others without himself putting any effort. What is more, he may succumb to self-pity. Every individual has a right to assistance in times of need. But he also has the first and foremost duty of self-help, helping himself through his own effort. Then only can he expect to rise above the challenge encountered by him.

Self-help is most relevant in the case of shubhankar as the challenge he faces is of long duration. This means, unless and until he takes care of his own mental and physical well-being, obviously through his own initiatives/self-help, he will not be able to help another needy family member, i.e. the shubharthi. Those who take initiatives in meeting their challenges mostly attract attention and assistance from those around them.

When a person who helps himself and is stronger always has an inner urge to help others who face challenges similar to his own. So, mutual help is an offshoot of self-help.

By admin 0 Comments

3. How can one find out if there is any such group in one’s own town or city? If there is none,what does one do?

The best way is to contact any mental health professional known to you or in your town as he should be aware of any such support group activity . Alternatively, you could check with a known support group of neighbouring city who may be networking with a support group of your town.

SHGs which operate in cities/towns may have their own websites or may have visited other mental health websites. If you post a query on any of them they should be able to direct you to the SHG nearest to your location. One of the most active and resourceful sites worth visiting is www.karmayog.org either for posting your query or locating a support group convenient for you.

By admin 0 Comments

1. Do you have residential arrangements?

No. SAA firmly believes that users should stay in the community and should not be separated from their families. But they should not be in the four walls of their homes 24 hours of the day. It, therefore, runs a day rehabilitationcenter; where users spend the day gainfully and return to their homes in the evening.It helps users in managing their daily activities in an independent but supportive environment. It provides them a platform for developing social skills, self-esteem and confidence.

By admin 0 Comments

2. What is the duration of the rehabilitation programme?

Rehabilitation is a long term process and requires perseverance and patience. The program is ongoing, as long as the user’s symptoms donot come down to a manageable level and even after that till the user gets rehabilitated in a job or in self-employment.

By admin 0 Comments

3. Do these activities really help?

All the activities at the center like computer learning, sports, dance, music, art, yoga, and various vocational programmesare thereuptic and help in recovery and symptom management. The activities are planned to help the userto remain occupied gainfullyand to facilitate recovery.A few activities aim at creating awareness among the users and their families, afew help in training the users to identify the triggers and prevent relapses.

By admin 0 Comments

4. Will my dearone recover by joining the centre?

Programmes and activities at the center have been designed and planned carefully to promote recovery and rehabilitation. The sessions have been found by users and their familiesbeneficial inbuilding self-confidence, self- esteem. Regular participation provides opportunity for socialization, developing life skills and self-reliance. Recovery depends on severalfactors including intensity of symptoms and illness, insight of the userabout illness, regularity about medication and positive support system at home.

By admin 0 Comments

5. Will the admission at the center help in stopping the medicines?

 The center provides an opportunity for psychosocial rehabilitation and a platform for relearning/developing different skills. Users must continue medication as prescribed by the psychiatrist. Any adjustments/reduction/stoppage will be decided by the attending psychiatrist depending upon the progress in recovery.

By admin 0 Comments

7. Does this center help in arranging employment for the users?

The center helps in rehabilitation and also recommends users who have shown improvement whenever some openings appear. The centre, however, cannot give any assurance in this regard.

The users attending the centreare provided opportunity to earn some money through vocational training program. Those who have some skills are encouraged to impart their skills to others and get paid for that. For each activity which brings revenue, the users are paid labour charges and the entire income is distributed among them after adjusting the cost of the material used.