Chandigarh Administration has set-up a Half-way Home (HWH) for Mentally Ill Persons

    Chandigarh Administration has set-up a Half-way Home (HWH) for Mentally Ill Persons at Disability Assessment Rehabilitation and Triage (DART) Building, Sector 32, Chandigarh in accordance to Mental Healthcare Act, 2017. Half-way homes are part of a multi-pronged process to help patients with mental illness make a smooth transition from Hospitals into the Patient’s Home.
 
            The facility is availed by Persons with mental illness who have recovered from an acute phase of illness and can avail its services for 6-18 months; which may exceed depending on his/her recovery and psychosocial circumstances. It is the next step after the hospitalization phase is over, and when the patient has stabilized on medication.
 
            The HWH is being run by Govt. Medical College and Hospital, Sector-32, Chandigarh under the administrative control of Mental Health Institute and admissions are routed through GMCH-32. In addition to basic facilities such as shelter, food etc., all residents of HWH are provided residential psychosocial rehabilitation process involving pharmacotherapy, activities of daily living, social skills training, counselling, cognitive enhancement therapy, vocational training training, etc. Some hobby classes for the residents based on their individual interest, such as dance class, arts and crafts classes etc. are also organized to improve quality of life.
 
            Initially, the HWH was started for male patients only. On the directions of Sh. Manoj Parida, Adviser to the Administrator the facility of Half-way Home has also been extended to Women and the capacity of the said institute has been enhanced to 10 beds w.e.f. 10.10.2020 in order to provide effective services to the mentally ill/ challenged persons of UT, Chandigarh.
 
The residents are provided a safe, secure, non-stigmatizing and socially inclusive environment to flourish that helps in building their self-esteem. The Half Way Home strives for mainstreaming of mentally ill persons in order to restore their rights and dignity.