A psychiatry unit was inaugurated at Goethals Memorial Health Centre at Sacred Heart Church Dharmatala on Saturday. Mental hospital Antara in collaboration with Seva Kendra Calcutta, a social service wing of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kolkata, introduced Antara Speciality Psychiatry with the aim of reaching out to those “affected by mental illness and unaware of the right treatment process”.
“Access to specialists in psychiatry is expensive and many cannot afford it. We thought of extending the facility at moderate charges to the middle and lower middle-income groups (not poor, for whom we already have a facility) who find it difficult to afford long-term treatment,” said Mathew P. John, honorary general secretary, Antara.
Executive committee member of Antara Biswa Bihari Chatterjee, psychiatrist Dinen Bannerjee, director of Seva Kendra Calcutta Father Antony Rodrick and parish priest of Sacred Heart Church Father Hansel D’Souza were present.
The clinic will offer specialists in the field of depression, dementia, women and child mental health and de-addiction. A panel of psychiatrists, psychologists will be available to offer counselling. The clinic will run from 1pm to 6pm, Monday to Saturday. Appointments can be made at 7003545008.