Mental hospital launches Maha’s 1ste-meeting project for patients, kin

Nagpur: Regional Mental Hospital (RMH), Nagpur, the first in Maharashtra to launch an innovative project called "E-Bhet", which connects hospital inmates with their family members through online video calls. This initiative is already showing promising results in enhancing treatment process, as experts emphasise that emotional connections and familial support play a vital role in mental health recovery.
Mental health conditions such as addiction, depression, financial distress, and exam-related anxiety are steadily rising. The RMH Nagpur's outpatient department (OPD) receives around 35,000 patients annually, with many requiring admissions for further treatment.
"Earlier, there was a stigma that mental health patients admitted to the hospital would never recover. However, advancements in treatment significantly increased recovery rates. E-Bhet initiative is a step towards breaking this stigma and offering holistic care," said Dr Satish Humne, medical superintendent, RMH, Nagpur.
So far, 85 patients — 50 men and 35 women — reconnected with their families through E-Bhet. The joy of seeing their loved ones on screen brought smiles to patients and satisfaction to their families. According to Dr Humne, the initiative bridges emotional gaps and motivates patients to respond better to treatments.
"A significant number of patients admitted here come from Maharashtra and neighbouring states. For unknown patients, it often takes weeks to locate their families. E-Bhet helps establish this vital connection sooner, benefitting both patients and their relatives," explained Dr Humne.
In the next 100 days, RMH aims to facilitate 200 more E-Meets. The hospital is working on upgrading infrastructure and resources to ensure seamless communication for patients and their families.
The success of E-Meet at RMH already drew attention of Maharashtra Public Health Department, which plans to implement the initiative in other regional mental hospitals across the state. "This is a revolutionary step in mental healthcare. By enabling families to connect virtually, we are making recovery faster and more humane," said Dr Humne.
Family members wishing to connect with admitted patients can call the toll-free number 14416 to book an appointment for an E-Meet. The project is coordinated by social service superintendents Durge and Kunda Khidkar, who assist in scheduling and organising calls.
How E-Bhet works
- Family members can call the toll-free number 14416 to schedule an appointment
- Social Service Superintendents assist in organising virtual meetings with admitted patients
- Patients and their families connect via video calls facilitated by the hospital
- So far, 85 patients benefitted from this initiative
- 200 more are set to participate in the next 100 days