Half Way Homes on cards for cured mental patients

Hyderabad: Telangana government is taking steps to set up Half Way Homes to house people who have recovered completely after a long treatment for mental health issues.

Chief Secretary Dr S K Joshi directed the Health department to submit a related plan in 15 days' time.

The Chief Secretary held a review meeting on mental health issue with senior officials from Health, Women and Child Welfare departments on Tuesday.

He wanted setting up of Half Way Homes as fully recovered patients with mental health history were made to stay in the same hospital even afterwards.

Dr Joshi wanted establishing these special accommodations for such people and also giving skill development training to them.

Instructions were given to Women and Child Welfare officials to visit Erragadda Mental Hospital and prepare a plan for Half Way Homes including construction estimates and their maintenance and functioning afterwards.

The CS also wanted training programmes to also touch upon lifestyle and stress dealing aspects.

Further, instructions were given to map data of psychiatrists, working in government and also private hospitals to utilize their needs if required in the future.