C. Ramasubramanian, founder and senior consultant psychiatrist, M.S. Chellamuthu Trust & Research Foundation, speaking at the programme on mental health for BDOs in Madurai on Wednesday.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
M.S. Chellamuthu Trust & Research Foundation, in collaboration with the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, organised an advocacy programme on mental health for the staff of the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA), which included Block Development Officers (BDOs), engineers and other stakeholders.The programme was organised to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Erwadi fire accident that claimed the lives of several persons with mental disabilities.S. Satheesh Kumar delivered the felicitation address and emphasised the importance of strengthening mental health awareness at the grassroots level through the Rural Development Department.C. Ramasubramanian, founder and senior consultant psychiatrist of the trust, delivered the special address on the importance of mental health in society.He explained that mental illness could affect anyone regardless of age, gender, education or social status.Quoting national statistics, Dr. Ramasubramanian stated that nearly 10.6% of the Indian population was affected by mental health disorders and emphasised that all mental illnesses were treatable, manageable and preventable with early identification and timely psychiatric consultation.He urged the officers to create awareness in villages, help people overcome stigma, encourage those in need to seek treatment, and make use of the trust’s mental health helpline.He also highlighted the increasing incidence of addiction among young people and stressed the importance of community support in identifying and referring affected individuals for treatment.K.S.P. Janardhan Babu, director – programmes, shared inspiring success stories of homeless persons with mental illness who were rescued from the streets, provided psychiatric treatment, reunited with their families, and successfully rehabilitated through employment with the support of the district administration. Published - August 05, 2026 08:24 pm IST
