Psychiatry

“Mananala Nallaatharavu Mandram”(MANAM) in our Medical/Nursing/Paramedical Colleges established on September 12th 2022.

This MaNaM will ensure empowerment of students by democratizing scientific knowledge through regular consistent awareness generation activities and training program on mental health. The students will be empowered to identify cues and symptoms related to psychological problems and offer immediate support to their peers.

The Department of Psychiatry of is the Nodal Department for MANAM initiative in Chengalpattu Medical College and take necessary steps as per the guidelines in successfully rolling out the program.

TANPSYCON 2023:

A NON PHARMA Funded (Self-Funded) Conference – Is it Feasible? – Yes

The 38^th edition of Tamilnadu State Psychiatry Conference was held at Chengalpattu Medical College between 7^th to 9^th July 2023. The conference was organized by the Department of Psychiatry, Chengalpattu Medical College in a total non-Pharma funded manner for the first time in the history of any medical speciality conference/CME across India in last few decades.

The clout of the Pharmaceutical industry in conducting any conference/ academic events has grown vastly in the last few decades to the extent that they influence the way a conference has to be conducted. We observed the decline in the importance being given for scientific sessions and more credentials allotted for entertainment activities. The worst scenario is we were able to see delegates spending more time in the Pharma  stalls & entertainment arena. Hence our organizing team decided to depart from the traditional way of conducting a conference. How did we do it?

We involved undergraduate students, Paramedical students and Psychiatry Postgraduates of our institution and they all took care of the activities which an event management team would do in a conference. Revenue was generated from advertisements solicited from Psychiatric Nursing Homes & practising Psychiatrists in Tamilnadu. Despite the absence of promotional activity at the time of the conference we received an overwhelming response from all our brethren. Registration charges for both the preconference workshop and the conference was kept to the barest minimum, thereby offering good value for the money spent by the delegates. Despite the allround scepticism about the way the conference would be held, we were able to fulfil the expectations of each & every delegate.

Our success formula…….

More focus was given to academic events than ever. We had two different workshops, 8 concurrent sessions and 5 plenary sessions.  In addition there was the presentation of scientific research work in the form of free paper/ award paper & poster presentation. A separate day was allotted to Undergraduate (MBBS) students including scientific sessions/ Panel discussion and UG Quiz to promote knowledge & attitude towards Psychiatry among them. All the resource person & Speakers supported us by taking care of their travel & stay on their own. Delicious homely food was served though in limited necessary varieties rather than an array of dishes being served in Star hotels. We avoided presenting Mementos/ Bouquet/ Shawls to all Speakers and office bearers, instead they were given Jute bags made by inmates of IMH (Institute of Mental health, Chennai) with Pendrive / Pen.

We had two Stalls at the venue. One stall had the handmade products done by inmates of Institute of Mental Health, Chennai. The second stall had books written & published by our Psychiatrists. The cultural program on the second day evening was performed by our own students and a traditional dance art of Tamilnadu was done by trained artists. A cricket match was conducted for the Psychiatrists & PG students.

This conference was a festival of joy where every delegate participated wholeheartedly partaking the academic feast. We have set the ball rolling . Any conference or CME can be executed by meticulous planning, utilising sparse funds & involving everyone in an institution. This trendsetting Chengalpattu Model of zero Pharma funding is indeed a completely feasible one in any medical speciality across India.