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Lost Souls Found: Psychiatrist's Mission
21 Dec
Summary
- Over 7000 mentally ill destitutes rescued and reunited.
- A remarkable reunion rate of 95% achieved by the center.
- Newly published book 'Unsaid' aims to raise mental health awareness.
For nearly four decades, psychiatrists Dr. Bharat and Smitha Vatwani have championed the cause of India's mentally ill street destitutes. Beginning their work in 1988, they have since established the Shraddha Rehabilitation Centre, which now houses 120 patients. Their comprehensive program involves rescue, treatment, and family reunification, having successfully reintegrated over 7000 individuals into their families with an impressive 95% success rate.
The Vatwanis' efforts are now chronicled in their recently published book, 'Unsaid.' This book aims to shed light on the often-unseen struggles of mental illness, emphasizing how it can quietly isolate individuals. It highlights the challenges of getting the book published due to a demand for sensational content, a narrative the Vatwanis refused to compromise.
This initiative underscores the critical need for mental health awareness and rehabilitation services. The Mental Healthcare Act of 2017 in India supports the rights of persons with mental illness to community living and rehabilitation. The Vatwanis' work, detailed in 'Unsaid,' exemplifies a societal commitment to remembering, caring, and believing that no one is beyond reach.
