17 patients reunited with their families after successful counselling in the last 30 days
The Institute of Mental Health (IMH), Eragadda, has deployed a team of qualified Psychiatric Social Counsellors to strengthen patient care and rehabilitation services. The initiative is being implemented in collaboration with Helping Hand Foundation (HHF), a healthcare nonprofit that provides voluntary patient support services in government hospitals.
Counselling Services Across Key Departments
The counsellors have been posted in the Discharge (DC) Ward, de-addiction ward, Clinical Psychology Department, inpatient wards, OPD, and pharmacy block. Their primary focus is to support patients who have completed treatment and are mentally stable but are yet to be reunited with their families.
The hospital has assigned five Psychiatric Social Workers as per its duty roster—two each for the DC and de-addiction wards, one for the Clinical Psychology Department, and two for the OPD.
Focus on Family Reintegration
The counsellors work closely with patients and their families to strengthen communication, rebuild relationships, and encourage social reintegration. They interact with family members every day to facilitate the patients’ return home. As per the press release, these efforts have helped reunite 17 patients with their families within the first 30 days of the programme.
In addition, the counsellors conduct yoga, stretching, and breathing exercises, while also engaging patients in reading, writing, cognitive behavioural activities, brain games, recreational therapy, and motivational sessions to support their overall recovery.
Improving Patient Welfare
Beyond counselling services, Helping Hand Foundation has contributed to improving patient welfare by providing 50 plastic chairs, indoor games, wall fans, and a large-screen LED television. The organisation has also undertaken civil works, including wall painting in the female ward, toilet renovations, and other infrastructure improvements.
Programme Inauguration
Dr. K. Shiva Prasad, Superintendent of the Institute of Mental Health, formally inaugurated the Psychiatric Social Counsellor services on 1 July 2026 in the presence of senior Resident Medical Officers (RMOs) and hospital staff.