Govt medical staff in Tamil Nadu helps mentally ill man to reunite with family: A fascinating story

Chennai: In a heartwarming display of humanity, the Dharmapuri Medical College Hospital health staff in Tamil Nadu went beyond the call of duty to help a lost, distressed and mentally -ill 30-year-old man. They not only ensured bring him out of dark realms of mental illness before finally reuniting him with his family. Check out this fascinating story.

In April 2023, Dharmapuri Medical College Hospital health staff rescued a 30 years- old mentally ill person found wandering listlessly (identity not revealed). The team was challenged by his violent, aggressive behaviour and lack of cooperation to treatment. He could not recall anything about himself including even his name. He also escaped twice from the ward. The team did not give up. With the efforts of trained psychiatric social workers he was traced back and put on to the strict treatment regimen. This is a true and fascinating story of how the coming together of modern medical science,a committed team of health care professional and trained social workers can bring people out of dark realms of mental illness back to the warmth of their homes and family that too in a Government Health set up.

“The team established a beautiful rapport making him co-operate with the treatment. With the care and treatment he could recall his name and his family details. The team traced out the family and united him in a small beautiful reunion ceremony at the hospital yesterday after a gap of one year,” Supriya Sahu, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary Health & Family Welfare Dept Govt of Tamil Nadu shared the story on her social media page.

This is a true and fascinating story of how the coming together of modern medical science,a committed team of health care professional and trained social workers can bring people out of dark realms of mental illness back to the warmth of their homes and family that too in a… pic.twitter.com/EjWYzuyFSQ

— Supriya Sahu IAS (@supriyasahuias) July 17, 2024

She highlighted that the team has so far rescued 107 mentally ill patients since March 2022 and reunited 56 patients with their families including patients from Northern states by successfully tracking and communicating with their family members. “Kudos to the entire team,” Supriya Sahu, the state health secreatary said.