Bengaluru: Recovered mental health patients walk the ramp

BENGALURU: Thunderous applause echoed in the auditorium of the Medico-Pastoral Association (MPA) during a fashion show on Wednesday. Unlike many others, this one was special. The group of 11 that walked the ramp and their friends cheering from the stands were recovering from mental health issues, including bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
MPA, which has been operating from Pottery Road in Fraser Town, celebrated it golden jubilee on Wednesday, and the ramp show seemed like a culmination of efforts by patients, doctors, psychiatrists, benefactors and family members.
MPA claims to have helped at least 1,100 people lead better lives so far.
"Patients are referred to MPA by psychiatric departments of different hospitals. Caregivers and residents interact with the in-house panel of psychiatrists, which decides if a person is eligible for rehabilitation. Those admitted have a daily routine. Specific deficits are also worked on, as per each individual's need. For instance, those with schizophrenia have a problem with personal hygiene, but we have a routine for it. We work on communication skills for some," said Bhaskar, administrator of the association.
Association president Dr Joseph George said the residents are here either because the family is unable to take them because of their situation, they have no family members in the country or they feel the institution can take better care of them. "In a majority of the cases, we have observed that the institute becomes a surrogate home to them and benefactors fund poor patients," said George.
Thilaka Bhaskaran, former secretary and current managing committee member, recounting the history of the association said it dates back to 1964 when the voluntary association was formed. The organisation eventually turned secular to cater to the general public, and was registered a decade later. The association also started a suicide prevention helpline, SAHAI, she said.