Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra

Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra

 

Mental health would comprise of 15% of global disease burden by 2020. Due to fast changing lifestyle, poverty, unemployment, etc. there is a substantial rise in the number of mental illness in rural areas.

It is estimated that 7% of population suffers from mental disorder, of which 90% remains untreated. Many patients of mental illness are treated inhumanly in villages and at their home.

Through the support of BFW-Germany, we were able to reach 13,260 people with mental illness and epilepsy during the year 2015-16 in 40 health camps with support of Ranchi Institute of Neuro Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (RINPAS), Kanke, Ranchi.

NBJK is promoting Carers of mentally ill/epileptic people also in groups and federations in 5 blocks of Hazaribag district with support of Carers Worldwide, UK. Their SHGs are being supported for livelihood, rights advocacy and convergence with government schemes.

What is the need?

Mental health is an issue that is often not addressed, due to stigma and lack of awareness.

With the population increase, changing values, life-style, frequent disruptions in income, crop failure, natural calamity (drought and flood), economic crisis, unemployment, lack of social support and increasing insecurity, there is a substantial increase in the number of people suffering from mental ill-ness in rural areas.

In India where 33.5% of people live below the national poverty line, most poor people with mental disorders cannot access treatment (World Bank, 2008). Over 75% of the population resides in rural areas, while the few psychiatrists (2 per 1 million people) are located in cities/towns.

About 7% of population suffers from mental disorder of which 90% remain untreated.

Problem multiplies in rural areas due to unawareness. Many people refuse to visit Psychiatrist and trust more on faith healers, until the situation become worse. It is also not very uncommon to find people locked/chained at their home for many years due to their mental health issues.

 

Our Approach and Achievements

NBJK is one of the most renowned organisations of Bihar and Jharkhand states of India, working for past 43 years at the grass root level.

Through the support of BFW-Germany, NBJK could be able to reach 13,260 people with mental illness and epilepsy during the year 2015-16 in 40 health camps with support of Ranchi Institute of Neuro Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (RINPAS), Kanke, Ranchi.

Family of patient collecting medicine

Family Member of patient collecting medicine

 

Still much to do…

  • It has been estimated that mental health would comprise of 15% of global disease burden by 2020
  • Patients with mental illness are treated inhumanly in villages
  • Fast change in lifestyle has resulted in drastic increase in the number of cases of mental disorders
  • There is only one treatment centre for a case load of approximately 4 million
People gathered for treatment and collecting medicine for Mental Illness

People gathered for treatment and collecting medicine for Mental Illness