Awards & Achievements

Achievements of NGO Parivartan with Dept. of Psychiatry.

1.The department of Psychiatry, GMCH, organized an invited lecture for the faculty of GMCH ON 4th December 2021 which was delivered by Dr P.Kulhara , Ex- HOD ,Department of Psychiatry PGIMER , Chandigarh on the topic - Schizophrenia: Time to change the name?

2. The department of Psychiatry, GMCH, organized an online interactive session on Occupational therapy in autism by Moira, an Occupational Therapist and the Autism Programs Lead at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital in Toronto, Ontarioon 26 November 2021.

3. Dr. B S Chavan Memorial Rehabilitation Program: To commemorate the work done in the field of mental health in the tri-city of Chandigarh-Panchkula-Mohali by late Prof B S Chavan, the founder president of NGO Parivartan along with GRIID celebrated “Dr B S Memorial Rehabilitation Programme” on 24/03/ 2022 at GMCH -32, Chandigarh. The occasion was marked by the inauguration of book “Leadership in Indian Psychiatry” by Dr. Shakuntala and Dr. Jasbinder Kaur Director Principal of GMCH Chandigarh and initiation of  Dr B S Chavan Memorial Award’ by Parivartan to be given annually to NGOs in India doing seminal work in the field of rehabilitation and community psychiatry. For the year 2021-22, the award was conferred to Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF). Dr R Padmavati, Director SCARF graced the occasion with her kind presence. Additionally Dr. R S Murthy spoke on the importance of “Emotional Health of Caregivers” via online mode and Mr. Jitender Solanki (Financial Planner) held an interactive session on “Financial planning for persons with mental illness/intellectual disability”. A total of 200 participants attended the program.

4. Services for destitute persons with mental illness: Free medicines, clothing and other items of daily use are provided to destitute or orphan persons having mental illness. In addition, for destitute or orphan persons who l ack capacity to take the mental health related decisions and are admitted at Department of Psychiatry GMCH Chandigarh or Mental Health Institute, Chandigarh is nominated from members of Parivartan as nominated representative under section 14(chapter IV) of MHCA-2017. After January 2022, 4 destitute persons were provided this service.

5. World Schizophrenia Day: Department of Psychiatry, GMCH-32, Chandigarh along with NGO Parivartan organized series of events on the occasion of “World Schizophrenia Day” on 24th May 2022 which included a brief health information capsule on Schizophrenia awareness was played on Public address system of GMCH from 8.30 am till 2.30 pm. An awareness talk on Schizophrenia was for general public visiting the OPD . An open forum discussion with the caregivers of patients with schizophrenia was also organized in collaboration with NGO Parivartan, Chandigarh, where around 25 caregivers of patients suffering from schizophrenia participated actively in the discussion. Dr.PritiArun, Head of the Department, Psychiatry addressed the queries of caregivers regarding psychotropic drugs and electro-convulsive therapy.

6. World No Tobbacco Day: On the occasion of World No Tobacco Day, Dept. of Psychiatry, GMCH 32, along with NGO Parivartan held an ‘Oral Screening and Tobacco Cessation Camp at Rural Health & Training Centre, Palsora on 31st May, 2022.

7. International day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking

OPD camp was organized on 26th June on International day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking at Palsora. New community clinic initiated at Maloya dispensary.

8. World Alzheimer day was celebrated by the Department of Psychiatry in collaboration with NGO Parivartan by conducting an Inhouse workshop on “Approach to assessment of dementia” on 21st September, 2022. The workshop was for all trainees of Psychiatry, MPhil Clinical Psychology and Psychiatric Social work. The inaugural remark was given by Prof. Dr.Priti Arun, HoD Psychiatry and President Parivartan. Facilitators of this workshop were Dr.Subhash Das and Dr. Manoj Bajaj.

9. World mental health week was celebrated from 4th-10th October, 2022. Theme - ‘Mental health and well-being for all a global priority. Department of Psychiatry, GMCH-32, Chandigarh celebrated this year’s “Mental Health Week” with the plethora of public awareness events from 4th October 2022 onwards culminating in the World Mental Health Day on 10th October. The theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day is, “Making Mental Health & Well-being for All a Global Priority”. In line with this the Government of India has decided to launch the T-MANAS (Tele-Mental Health Assistance and Nationally Actionable Plan through States) to provide mental health support and services to everyone including those from rural or marginalized sections of society on this Day. Dr. PritiArun, Head of the Department of Psychiatry, GMCH-Sector 32 informed that GMCH, Sector-32 will be the designated Tele MANAS cell providing mental health services for the union territory of Chandigarh. Apart from this, under her able leadership a host of mental health awareness activities were conducted by the Psychiatry Department to celebrate the mental health awareness week from 4th October onwards.