Schizophrenia is a major illness affecting nearly 1% of the population all over the world. Affecting people between the age of 15 and 35, it has been called the "Greatest Disabler of Youth". Those suffering from this disease can lose motivation and interest to work or indulge in any productive activity. A legislation passed in 1995 in India recognises diability produces by schizophrenia on par with physical and sensory diabilities. ".....SCARF, the first institution in India devoted solely to schizophrenia......has treated over 6000 patients, found jobs for 300 schizophrenia victims and financed the education of 200 children of severly ill patients" - READERS DIGEST, March 1998.

What is SCARF ?

SCARF is the acronym for the Schizophrenia Research Foundation (India), a voluantry organisation located at Chennai. Formed in 1984, the main activities of SCARF are CARE & REHABILITATION OF MENTALLY ILL & DISABLED, RESEARCH, TRAINING AND IMPROVING AWARENESS ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS. SCARF has been recognised by the World Health Organisation as a WHO Collaborating Centre for Mental Health Research & Training. A board of Management composed of distinguished people from several walks of life oversee the functioning of SCARF.

Services Rendered

CARE & REHABILITATION

SCARF runs an OUT-PATIENT DEPARTMENT 6 days a week, where a multi-disciplinary team of psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers offer various types of medical and psycho-social tratment. Medicines are provided free of cost to those from lower economic classes.

A DAY CARE CENTRE operates from 9.30 AM to 4.30 PM and engages about 60 male and female clients in various forms of work units. This forms an essential ingredient in their rehabilitation plan. Besides work, social skills, training, behaviour therapy and cognitive retraining are offered.

SERVICES AT THE OPD AND DAY CARE CENTRE ARE PROVIDED FREE OF COST

RESEARCH

SCARF has completed several research projects in collaboration with reputed national and international organisations. WHO has involved SCARF in many of its programmes and SCARF is a recognised centre by the Dr.MGR Medical University to offer PhD courses in mental health. SCARF has published several papers in national and international journals and brought out publications of academic and research interest, copies of which are available in the office.

TRAINING

SCARF has trained a number of students of psychiatric social work, psychology nursing and occupational therapy in the principles and practice of psychosocial rehabilitation.

RESIDENTIAL REHABILITATION CENTRES

Apart from the main centre at Annanagar, there are two other treatment centres. A centre for mentally ill women and elderly citizens is located at Thiruverkadu, a susurb of Chennai. This houses about 50 residents. Another centre exclusively for men is at Mahabalipuram. It is planned to increase the strength of this centre from the present 20 to 35.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMMES

SCARF has completed one programme funded by OXFAM in a rural area near Vellore in Tamilnadu. Another is nearing completeion near Thiruporur, about 50 Kms from Chennai. Currently there is a project at Thiruverkadu specially targetting school teachers. This is funded by Dorabji Tata Trust.

AWARENESS PROGRAMMES

SCARF has been active in organising several awareness programmes for various sections of society. Several video films have been made on the illness for this purpose.

Future Plans

• We plan to increase the strength of the Mahabalipuram centre. An amount of Rs.15 lakhs is required for this. We appeal to donors who can support this effort.
• SCARF in collaboration with the Clinical Epidemiology Unit at Chennai Medical College & Inclen will conduct a course in research methodology in mental health from July - December 1998.
• Formal accredited courses in psychosocial rehabilitation for mental health professionals in collaboration with the University of Madras.
• Build a state of the art auditorium so that we are self reliant and also raise funds by renting it to other organisations.

How you can help ?

• Help us beat the stigma of mental illness by liasing with the print and electronic media to change misconceptions and negative attitude towards the mentally ill.
• Help employ some our improved clients in jobs.
• Sponsor the education of children of severely mentally disabled person. This would only mean an annual donation of Rs.1500/- per child.
• If you have the expertise, help us prepare low cost educational material.
• Contribute to the corpus of SCARF to facilitate our expanding activities.
• Be a friend of the mentally ill.

ALL DONATIONS TO SCARF ARE ELIGIBLE FOR 100% DEDUCTION UDER INCOME TAX ACT, SECTION 35(1)(ii)

JOIN US IN OUR EFFORTS TO WORK TOWARDS A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR THE MENTALLY DISABLED.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Schizophrenia Research Foundation (India)            R/7A, North Main Road,            West Annanagar Extension            Chennai - 600 101            INDIA

044 - 6263971   044 - 6263971      scarf@md2.vsnl.net.in