CC No

IND-133-[SE]

Title

Mental Health Research and Training

Head of Institution

Dr R. Thara

PI Name

Dr R. Thara

PI Designation

Director 

Institute Name

Schizophrenia Research Foundation (India) (SCARF), Chennai, India

Address

R/7A, North Main Road

Phone

044 26153971,26151073 

West Anna Nagar Extension 

Fax

Chennai (Madras) - 600101 

E-Mail

scarf@vsnl.com 

India 

HQ Unit

MNH/MNH

SEARO File

M4/72/1 

SEARO Department

NMH

Technical Unit

H&B

Area Code

H&B

Area

Health and Behaviour

Functions of the Centre

Status Details

Initial Designation Date

26-Nov-1996 

Redesignation due on

12-Sep-2008 

Last Designation Date

13-Sep-2004 

Current Status

Redesignated 

Status Comments

Center has been redesignated vide RD's letter no. M4/72/1 dated 13 September 2004. 

Introduction

Origin of the proposal, technical programme which is sponsoring, reasons for proposed designation

The Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF), WHO Collaborating Centre for Mental Health Research and Training in Psychosocial rehabilitation, is a non-profit, non-political, secular, non-governmental organization founded in 1984 by a small group of eminent citizens and mental health professions in the city of Madras (now renamed Chennai). 

Steps that have led to this proposal, eg site-visits by WHO staff, previous participation of the institution, joint development of a workplan, etc.

SCARF has undertaken several research and trainign projects which have supported WHO activities both in the Region and in HQ. As part of the study sponsored by WHO, SEARO, on burden of families, a Burden Assessment Scale (BAS) has been developed jointly by SCARFT and WHO. 

Comments & Composition of the Institute

A distinguished board of management comprising scientists, doctors, researchers and philanthopists overseees the running of the organization. This board meets regularly four times a year and an annual general body meeting is held every year. 

Statutory functions of the institution ; formal links with other institutions

SCARF has been recognized as a Centre for Ph.D. training by Dr MGR Medical University, Chennai, SCARF has been active in community-based programmes over the past decade. Several rural community mental health programmes have been conducted. The objectives of threse programmes are to establish a clinic facility in the community to promote identification, initial treatment and referral of persons with mental healthproblems; create public awareness about mental health problems, which will facilitate early identification and prompt treatment, establish a referral system for psychosocial rehabilitation of mentally disabled train health workers whenver feasible, establish family and community support groups for people with Schizophrenia and other chronic mental illnesses. 

Administrative Structure

Administrative and Scientific Responsibility

Dr R. Thara, Director 

National and International Advisory Boards ; Composition & Terms of Reference

SCARF has been networking with the following institutions: WHO, Geneva and New Delhi, National Institute of Mental Health, USA, Long Island Medical Jewish Centre, New York, USA., Doughlas Hospital, Montreal, Canada, McGrill University, Montreal, Canada, Institute of Psychiatry, London, Crichton Royal Hospital, Dunfries, Scotland, Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim, Germany, International Development Research Centre, Montreal, Canada, University of Queensland, Australia. 

List of Senior Staff

See attached institutional profile 

Facilities Available (labs, training facilities, documentation centre, etc.)

See attached institutional profile 

Workplan

Terms of Reference

1. To Conduct and encourage research and training in relevant areas of mental health in collaboration with experts in Member Countries, SEARO and WHO/HQ.

2. To conduct and encourage research and training on issues related to psychiatric diseases with special emphasis on women's mental health.

3. To conduct and encourage research, training and development of assessment tools for mental disorders, with emphasis on cultural issues.

4. To conduct educational campaigns for visibility and recognition to disability from psychiatric illnesses and elimination of stigma against patients with psychiatric illnesses.

5. To broaden and enhance the scope of existing research and training programmes in mental health in Member Countries through capacity building.

List Of Activities

Activity ID

Activity Title

Year1

Year2

Year3

Year4

01

Studies on the social determinants of psychiatric disease Conduct epidemiological and family related studies of family dynamics, family burden & coping by families, mechanisms to strengthen families and provide support to families. Conduct studies of the sequelae of environmental stressors

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

02

Studies on genetics of schizophrenia The studies will address issues such as psychopathology; course and outcome; family burden and coping in families with more than one member is affected. Different communities will be compared on these variables.

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

03

Studies on characteristics of untreated psychosis The symptom patterns, coping styles, health status, effect of intervention, presence of abnormal movements in untreated patients will be studied.

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

04

Studies on burden and coping in families of persons with dementia. As part of an international network on dementia research, research on families of persons with dementia will be undertaken.

Yes

Yes

No

No

05

Studies focussing on issues related to women's mental health. The studies will examine issues such as social support for women, their rehabilitation needs, factors influencing response to medication and intervention, co-morbidity, depression and anxiety

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

06

Studies on assessment tools related to assessment of disability and ICIDH. Participate in the WHO sponsored study on assessment of disability.

Yes

Yes

No

No

07

Study mental health in industries and work sector with emphasis on stress reduction and positive mental health. Studies will emphasise stress reduction and positive mental health in the work place.

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

08

Study mental health problems in rural and remote villages, study explanatory models, help seeking behaviours etc Studies in rural areas will examine explanatory models for psychiatric illness, help seeking behaviours of communities, coping by local communities etc

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

09

Initiate studies on early intervention in psychosis Studies will investigate the pros and cons of early intervention in patients with psychosis as part of a multi-centric study

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

10

Conduct educational campaigns for visibility and recognition to disability from psychiatric illness and elimination of stigma against patients with psychiatric illness. Liaise with professional, policy planners, consumers and families in projects related to stigma. Launch a nationwide antistigma campaign in collaboration with national bodies such as the Indian Psychiatric Society, NGOs and educational institutions.

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

11

Network with agencies in India and abroad for collaborative work in mental health

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

12

Assist SEARO in capacity building in Member Countries through training programmes in mental health

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes