Manasrang
INCENSE team went through creative experiences of engaging community for awareness
in mental disorder and promoting recovery through various art based skills. It was
a 7 days residential training in two phases. The team was given training in communicating
through various art forms and given an opportunity to perform. The team was then
expected o transfer these skills to the persons with SMD they work with at RMHY
and in the community settings. After rigorous practice sessions and sufficient understanding
about SMD through psycho- education sessions, the persons at Devrai facility performed
a street play on the occasion of World Schizophrenia Day, on the occasion of one
year completion of Devrai facility, republic day and in mental health week. They
performed in front of families of persons with SMD taking INCENSE Programme – Pune
site treatment on OPD basis, staff of RMHY, media personnel, etc. All these performances
were highly appreciated by everyone and received plenty of media coverage. After
the success of these activities, INCENSE team has started weekly art sessions at
Devrai facility and also has created a self help support group from the persons
in the CBR cohort.