Mangalore : Dr KA Ashok Pai, Chairman of the Karnataka State Mental Health Task Force has said that the district unit of the Task Force would be set up very soon.
Speaking to reporters at the DC office on January 5, Saturday, he said the Task Force has been set up to make Karnataka a model mental health state.
He said the Task Force had plans to start residential schools for mentally retarded children in each district. It even moots residential care and rehabilitation centre for chronically ill mentally disabled patients, four de-addiction centres and four cerebral palsy treatment centres in four zones in the state. Dr Pai said the proposals are likely to be included in the ensuing budget.
Dr Pai, a well-known psychiatrist also added that the Task Force has been formed keeping in mind the lack of resources available to treat mental illnesses in the state. He informed that presently there were nearly 250 psychiatrists, 200 clinical psychologists in Karnataka . He also stated that the Task Force has been formed to reach out to the needy and provide affordable mental health services.