PONNUSWAMI, S. (Daulat Ram College) 

Historical survey of mental health movement in India has shown growing trends both in quantity and quality. Yet one can discern an uneasy trend on the part of the community as a parallel negative puller. On acceptance of the concept of mental illness is the narrow blinkered view in the form of "stigma". The human burden experienced in living with mental illness are entwined particularly with poverty, illiteracy and egoism of social status. These make out a strong case for community based mental health programmes at micro level organizations, wherein small communities assume responsibility for.the spread of mental health awareness. The times through 1920 and Dr. Hill, 1938 and Nehru committee, 1946 and Bhore committee 1983 and National Health policy - all these have witnessed much improvements in the care of mentally ill. Added to these efforts were knowledge explorations in the areas of pharmacology, neurology etc. which have yielded immense symptom relief for the patients. However, the efforts have not reduced the pain, suffering and agony of all the ill and their families. Community based organizations can perhaps meet the challenge of the millennium towards creating more awareness, more acceptance and more widespread availability of knowledge in the areas of prevention and support systems. The post independent India has witnessed not only changes in policies, legal changes and improved perspectives but very innovative approaches have been introduced. From the asylum days, India has progressed towards establishment of GHPU, PHC, District level care mental hospitals, private agencies and nursing homes delivering mental health care. Yet they seem inadequate. Hence models will have to be evolved to deal more with preventive aspects so as to reduce the burden on the mental health care and treatment facilities. However, creation of awareness and acceptance should be ensured. The university as a community can involve a micro model as its contribution towards the millennium 2000 A.D. Such a model would provide impetus to prevention programmes by emphasizing on awareness, training of volunteers in areas of mental health. It has to be human effort towards a human cause based on the spirit of giving ourselves to the society.