What is schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a medical illness and is acknowledged as a brain disorder. It distorts the senses, making it very difficult for the individual to distinguish between the real and not real. Schizophrenia can be treated successfully. With the drugs available today and if the treatment is started early, 80 per cent of the patients make steady recovery within 2-4 weeks and they can go back to their studies or jobs. There is much more information about mental health on our about mental health page.

Halfway Home:

What is Psychosocial Rehabilitation?

It is a process that teaches disabled people to relate better to themselves, their family, and their community. By learning how to make the most of their abilities, as well as learn new skills, they can interact positively and function, with confidence, satisfaction and self-esteem.

What is a halfway home?

A halfway home is so called because it is the midpoint between two alternatives: being admitted in a psychiatric hospital, or being at home with the family. Here, the best of both worlds is combined: a home-like environment for residents to live in, with structured programs of therapy and development, supervised by professional staff.

What do you mean by “structured programme”? What will patients do at Halfway Home?

Firstly, there are no ‘patients’, only ‘residents’ to give an idea of what the programme can include, here’s an example of a daily schedule:

  • Waking call
  • Breakfast
  • Exercise
  • Planning meeting
  • Some residents go to Day Care Centre for vocational training. Others take part in house maintenance and group activities.
  • Lunch
  • Leisure time
  • Each day of the week different activities are planned. These include skill learning, community meetings, art therapy, group therapy and recreational activity, dance and movement therapy.
  • Leisure time – games, walks etc.
  • Dinner

Who takes care of the needs of the residents?

The Fellowship has well-qualified mental health professionals with post-graduate degree in Clinical Psychology, Psychiatric Social Work or Psychosocial Rehabilitation working in the various facilities. . They take care of the day-to-day needs of the patients, in addition to engaging them in various therapies. In addition, the support staff to help in cleaning and cooking.

Do all mentally ill people need to stay at a halfway home?

About one-third of people with chronic and severe mental disorders such as schizophrenia or depression, do develop certain disabilities that may require them to undergo psychosocial rehabilitation programmes. Some of them will benefit from staying in a halfway home. Each person’s need is different, and a decision is made in consultation with the treating doctor, the therapist, the patient and his/her family regarding the necessity and possible benefits, with such a programme.

What is the duration of stay in a halfway home?

The maximum stay recommended is for one year. Some residents stay for 6 to 9 months, but a longer commitment to the full year enables residents to achieve full benefit.

We don’t live in the place where The Richmond Fellowship Society (India) has a branch. How do we arrange psychiatric consultation when we come here?

You need to be referred by your psychiatrist back home, so that a local psychiatrist can manage your follow-up and medication as and when necessary. The staff at the Fellowship can help you to consult a local psychiatrist, while the resident stays here.

Are you able to take in an uncooperative/unwilling person?

Generally, a resident’s consent is necessary before admitting him/ her to the halfway home. Our staff may persuade someone to stay by explaining the benefits of staying here, but we do not use force of any kind or lock residents up.

How do I apply? Is there an application form?

Yes, an application form needs to be filled in by the applicant’s family as well as the referring psychiatrist. You can get application forms at the Branch office for Rs.100/- payable either in cash or DD in favor of “The Richmond Fellowship Society (India) ………….. Branch”. Or follow the link to the forms page and Tick the branch you are applying to. Forms

What happens after I submit an application?

You will be informed about vacancy for admission at the home, within a week of receipt of your completed application form. Before a formal confirmation of admission is made, your ward will need to spend a period ranging from one to two weeks as “Trial Stay” at the halfway home. During this period, one family member should be available locally.

Is there a need for a local guardian?

Yes, it is essential to identify a local guardian who can be in touch with the resident, the family back home and the staff from time to time.

What fees do you charge? What is the total cost?

For the Bangalore Branch information click here [For the Delhi Branch information click here

Long stay home who can apply for Long stay home services?

These facilities are meant for those who need longer periods of care, either due to the nature of the illness or the prevailing disability. In addition some patients are admitted to the long stay home taking into consideration the family needs, due to certain prevailing conditions in them. This group home caters to only those who have gone through the rehabilitation programme at our halfway home at least for a minimum period of one year.

What is the admission procedure?

The family has to make a formal application in a form, which is available at our office, and the same will need to be filled completely, including the signatures by the applicant and a family member. The family also has to sign an “undertaking” regarding the legal guardianship and other issues. The form will be scrutinized by the Admission Committee and will be discussed further with the applicant and family members, before the admission is finalized.

What is the fee structure?

An “interest free” refundable deposit is to be made at the time of admission apart from the monthly fee. In addition the family has to bear the monthly expenditure incurred towards medication and pocket money. For the Bangalore Branch information click here. For the Delhi Branch information click here

What is the length of stay?

The length of stay in our homes will be agreed with individuals and their families.

Day Care Centre what is a day care centre?

In the context of mental health, a day care centre is a place for people with mental illness to spend their day in a special learning, protected and a compassionate environment. Members attend the day care between 9.00 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. Here they gain vocational and social skills that help them to re-integrate with their family and community. Day care also brings respite to care-giving family members of those afflicted with serious mental illness.

What kinds of patients are admitted?

Men or women, aged between 18 and 45 years, with any major psychiatric disorders, mild mental retardation, or chronic epilepsy with behavioral problems, can attend our day care center.

How can I get an application form?

Application forms are available at the office for Rs.50/- . You can also download our form online. Application also requires that patients must be referred by their psychiatrist.

What happens after I submit an application?

After the application form is screened, a date is fixed for a trial stay of about a month’s duration. On successful completion of the trial stay, an Admission Committee finalizes the admission and the applicant continues as a full-fledged member at the day care.

What is the fee structure?

For details, click at the appropriate place . For the here. For the Delhi Branch information click here. For the Lucknow Branch information click here . For the Sidlaghatta branch information click here.

Is there transport for members?

Yes, there is a bus facility to and from the day care centre. It has various pick-up points in the City. A monthly fee is charged for this facility. If you are interested, please contact the branch office.

Outreach Services what is an Outreach programme?

An outreach programme is one where mental health care is taken to the doorsteps of the needy, by a team of Mental Health Professionals, especially to those who do not have the capability to access health. Providing after care services and education and will also help these people.

Who can attend the Outreach programme?

Its main objective is to provide Comprehensive Mental Health Services to the Economically poor, particularly for those in the rural areas.

What kinds of services that are provided?

  • Identification of people with mental illness
  • Providing free medication wherever possible
  • Organizing educational programs, mainly related to awareness of mental health, and encouraging the active participation of caregivers and families in the total treatment and education of patients and families.
  • Helping to set up self-help groups as a means of social support
  • Educational programs for medical, paramedical, voluntary organizations, patients and caregivers.
  • The provision of after-care services through outreach workers.
  • Visiting and encouraging non- compliance patients to accept treatment.
  • Promoting community Awareness of the Rights & Privileges of the Mentally Ill Continuing activities related to establishing community mental health services; Rehabilitation services to integrate mentally ill and mentally disabled persons back into their families and society; Manpower development in the area of Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Advocacy, promotion and prevention and dealing with the issues of stigma.

M.Sc Psychosocial Rehabilitation & Counseling Course 

What is M.Sc. (PSR & Counseling) course?

This is a two-year full time course, leading to a Master’s degree of Science in Psychosocial Rehabilitation. Our College is affiliated to Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Karnataka. The course has also received permanent recognition from the Rehabilitation Council of India. The College is also recognized under section 2(f) of UGC Act and is a National Assessment and Accreditation (NAAC) accredited institution. The course aims is to train people to become Rehabilitation Professionals.

What is the course content?

The updated version will need to be loaded here.

The Richmond Fellowship Post Graduate College follows the Credit Based Annual System.

First Year

  • Health including Mental Health
  • Psychosocial Foundations of Human behaviour
  • Psychosocial Rehabilitation: Basic Concepts
  • Research and Statistics in Psychosocial Rehabilitation
  • Computer Education
  • Field work
  • Yoga

Second year 

  • Individual Based Psychosocial Interventions
  • Family, Group and Community Intervention
  • Specific Psychosocial Rehabilitation Methods
  • Rehabilitation Administration and Legislation
  • Field Work and Clinical Training
  • Counselling Skills
  • Case Presentation/Seminar/Journal review

 Who is eligible to join?

The general admission eligibility rules of the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences as applicable to the Post Graduate studies such as minimum marks secured, age, domicile, etc. shall be applicable to this M.Sc. (PSR) course also.ii) A candidate who has passed Bachelor’s Degree in any one of the following subjects from a recognized university/institution, is eligible to seek admission to M.Sc. (PSR) course:-Social Work or Psychology or Sociology or Nursing or Home Science or Occupational Therapy or any Graduate with Behavioural & Social Sciences as one of the major subjects of study and has secured not less than 50% of aggregate marks in the final examination excluding marks in languages. Any graduate with M.B.B.S. degree from a recognized Indian University or its equivalent.

In case of SC, ST and Category I candidates, marks secured shall not be less than 40% of the aggregate marks.

Is there a hostel?

Hostel facilities are available for those who need it.

What are my career prospects? Will I be able to find a job easily?

There are not enough fully qualified Rehabilitation Professionals in the country at present. As our society grows more open and informed on mental health issues, the need for Rehabilitation Professionals will also increase. Rehabilitation Professionals are in great demand at:

  • Government and / or State Mental Hospitals
  • Institutes of Mental Health
  • Private Psychiatric Nursing Homes / Hospitals
  • Halfway Homes
  • Day Care Centres for mentally challenged and mentally ill patients
  • Rehabilitation facilities run for alcohol / substance abuse patients

What is the method of selection?

There is a one-hour entrance examination consisting of multiple-choice questions, generally based on Psychology, Sociology, Social work and General Knowledge at the graduate level. Those who are successful in the examination will be called in for a personal interview. The College is looking for students who are committed and interested in working with the mentally ill and those with qualities of empathy and compassion with some interest in extra-curricular activities will find this course very beneficial. For the Fee structure Click here (Application Procedure)

When does the course begin?

The course starts from the first working day of October of every year.

How can I apply for the course?

Click here to download printable format of the application form. Also see, Application Procedure.

You can also write to the RF PG College of Bangalore Branch to get the application form on payment of Rs.500/- by DD in favour of “RF PG College for PSR” Click Here for RF PG College address (Contact Us)