Tihar to adopt WHO’s mental health programme
New Delhi, Apr 14 : The Tihar Jail will soon adopt the World Health Organisation’s Psychological First Aid programme to sensitise its inmates towards mental health issues.
The project titled ‘Samarthan’ will enable inmates who suffer from mental health issues to avail expert medical assistance from staff working in the prisons.
The programme will be carried out under the guidance of Dr Nand Kumar, professor of psychiatry in AIIMS, and in collaboration with Mental health Foundation, medical professional, and prison staff working in Tihar, an official said.
The PFA programme, developed by the WHO, aims to provide “supportive and practical” assistance to those who have faced crisis situations.
Tihar will become the second institution after Pennsylvania State Penitentiary to adopt the programme. The programme was implemented in Pennsylvania prisons in 2016.
The prison staff will be trained to provide assistance to those who are depressed or facing mental health issues.
