Psychiatry, a young branch of medicine

Editorial

Psychiatry, a young branch of medicine, is devoted to the study, treatment and prevention of human behaviour disturbances. Its training and practice require familiarity with both biological and social sciences.

            Most of the branches within the broader field of medicine deal primarily with disturbances in the structure and functioning of individual organs or organ systems. But psychiatry is concerned primarily with the functioning of the human organism as a unit which refers to behaviour.

            Human behaviour is a function of biological, psychological and social variables. Hence, for the management of problem behaviour a number of mental health professions are involved and mental health professionals must be familiar with both biological and social sciences.

            Mental health professionals viz., psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, psychiatric social worker, psychiatric nurse and other professionals such as occupational therapist and rehabilitation counsellor work in a collaborative and coordinated manner with team spirit for achieving the desired results. The team has a leader and the psychiatrist/s take the responsibility of guiding the other team members. This approach is emphasized mainly at three levels – promotion of mental health, prevention and treatment of mental disorders and rehabilitation of mentally ill persons.

            Mental health professionals divide their efforts between two or more fields – clinical practice; administrative responsibility; teaching and training, research, consultation as experts on boards and committees; and community based mental health programmes.

            With regard to the types of practice, mental health professionals involve in private practice; psychiatric hospitals of both public and private as well as general hospitals where psychiatric services are available; research institutions and other institutional and non-institutional care of mentally ill persons including half-way-homes.

            In this issue, social work professionals with their wide theoretical and practice base have contributed papers referring to different issues in the field of mental health.

            Mr. Nireekshan Singh Gowgi S.K and Mr.Nagesh.M have highlighted the importance of social work values in relation to mental health care, and the rights of mentally ill persons in receiving mental health services.

            Dr. Suman K Murthy has vividly explained the process of psychosocial rehabilitation of mentally ill persons highlighting the role of social workers.

            Mr. Prashanth R Patil has outlined the rehabilitation services for the mentally ill persons.

            Ms. Supriya P.R and Dr. Usha Rao C have emphasized the need for mental health services for homosexuals.

            Dr Ilango P and Mr. Uday Kumar P have stressed on the relationship between spirituality and various dimensions of health and quality of life among the elderly.

            Dr. Shobhadevi R Patil has explained in detail about mental health problems of women and measures to improve their health status.

            Ms. Rashmi Pai and Dr. V B Pai have highlighted the importance of leisure in improving the mental health of women especially of those who are employed in organized employment sector.

            Though the areas of mental health and the practice of social work have not been covered exhaustively, this issue refers to a few areas where social worker has a definite role to play.

            I am sure that this issue would be a good source of information for all social work professionals especially the students.

            What social work education through camps can do for the mentally ill is demonstrated in a narration of a camp by Dr.H.M. Marulasiddaiah in Kannada is also included here.

Dr. TBBSV RAMANAIAH