To handle stress at his workplace, an IT professional recently attended a counselling session. He says, “The initial information was extremely useful and welcome. The service provided by the consultant was very beneficial.”

He was referring to the session at NIMHANS (National Institute for Mental Health and Neuro Sciences) Wellbeing Centre, a community centre for mental health promotion located at BTM Layout 1st Stage.

NIMHANS urban wellness centre in BTM Layout. Pic: Abhishek Angad

Stress can sneak in without a hint. Unchecked, this results in lack of sleep, depression and other stress related issues. To catch such mental health problems at an early stage, NIMHANS has set up an urban community centre. The centre was started in October, 2011.

The centre addresses minor psychiatric problems through counselling or medication and also conducts various workshops to help professionals, college students, homemakers, families and couples. The idea is to help people handle stress related issues with better and effective communication.

Since its launch, the centre has got over 500 enquiries both through phone and direct counselling and workshops. After the initial counselling, if required, patients will be referred to doctors from NIMHANS headquarters at Hosur Road.

Anuroopa, who holds an MSc. in Counselling and Rehabilitation, is the first point counsellor at the centre. She says, “The vision is to detect any mental health related issues and address it right away. We counsel people, if it’s major (issue), we directly refer them to NIMHANS. The rest we handle.” Dr Prabha Chandra, Professor, Department of Psychiatry, NIMHANS is the coordinator for this centre.

As of now, the centre does not charge for services and is free except for the workshops. There are workshops for teachers, students, addicts, couples, mental health professionals, working professionals, parents etc. The centre also gives priority to elderly people and Anuroopa says they can call their number in times of need.

The centre is open from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm on all days except on Sundays and 2nd Saturday of every month. Phone no: 080-26685948/ 9480829670. To avail the services you can either walk-in or take an appointment over phone.⊕

Abhishek Angad is a Staff Journalist at Citizen Matters.

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