Psychosocial rehabilitation of people living with mental illness: Lessons learned from community-based psychiatric rehabilitation centres in Gujarat

Introduction: Psychosocial rehabilitation is the process that facilitates opportunities for persons with chronic mental illness to reach their optimal level of independent functioning in society and for improving their quality of life. However, such psychosocial rehabilitation centers are limited in India. Aims: The present study assesses psychosocial rehabilitation centers (of urban day-care and rural residential rehabilitation center) operated by Ashadeep Charitable Foundation, a civil service organization and its effect on health outcomes of patients living with chronic mental illness. Materials and Methods: Records of 170 cases were retrieved for secondary analysis of demographic information, diagnosis, duration of stay, and health outcomes. Results: Rehabilitation activities included yoga, light physical exercises, group discussion, training for daily living skills, social skills, life skills, vocational training, individual, and family counseling. In addition, extensive outreach activities, mental health camps were also integral part of the rehabilitation activities. Patients who have accessed rehabilitation services were diagnosed with schizophrenia, psychosis, bipolar disorder, depression, and intellectual disability. The average duration of rehabilitation of patients (other than persons with intellectual disability) was ranged from three to four months. Out of those rehabilitated, 69% of them were successfully re-integrated with the family. Conclusion: Combination of pharmacological and psychosocial interventions are effective for re-integrate patients with mental illness to the family. This model of community-based rehabilitation has potential for scale-up.