PANAJI
The State government’s much-touted plan to put mental health on par with physical fitness has quietly hit a wall. Nearly two years after Chief Minister Pramod Sawant promised a dedicated day-care centre for persons with mental illness at the Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour (IPHB), the project remains uncommissioned even though the infrastructure is reportedly ready.
Reliable sources told The Goan that while the construction of the facility at Bambolim is complete, its operational launch may take more time. The cause of the latest delay remains unclear.
“Earlier, the government cited lack of furniture, materials, and staff recruitment as reasons for the hold-up. Those issues have since been resolved by and large,” the source said.
In his Budget speech on March 29, 2023, Sawant announced an increase in funding for mental health initiatives -- from Rs 60.94 crore in 2022-23 to Rs 72 crore in 2023-24 -- while pledging that “mental wellness is just as important as physical fitness.” The CM had also assured that the day-care centre would begin operations by October 2023.
The project, he said, would help individuals “reclaim self-reliance and confidence” through activities such as yoga, pottery, carpentry, bakery, flower making, handicrafts, embroidery, printing, and art.
However, the government has not announced a fresh deadline for its commissioning. “Implementation will be soon,” a senior IPHB official said.
Sources confirmed that the facility, once functional, will cater exclusively to individuals with mental health conditions, upon referral by government psychiatrists or consultants. It will serve both discharged patients seeking rehabilitation and those currently admitted at IPHB.
“This centre was supposed to be a milestone in community-based mental health care,” a medical professional familiar with the plan said.
He further explained that at IPHB, long-stay patients recovering from mental illness will undergo therapy for restoring independence through daily living and occupational therapy. “The centre, designed to operate full-time on weekdays, will offer structured sessions that teach practical skills and routines essential for reintegration into everyday life,” he added further explaining,
“Before joining, each patient with a chronic mental illness will be evaluated by an occupational therapist to determine specific needs whether in self-care, communication, or vocational skills. The therapy plan will then be tailored to help patients regain confidence and autonomy through hands-on activities and guided rehabilitation.”
