We cordially invite our esteemed colleagues, professionals and students to the National Human Rights Commission sponsored National Conference on Innovations in Interventions for the Indigenous Population jointly organised by the Tribal Mental Health Project (TMHP) of the Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (IMHANS), Kozhikode, Department of Psycho Social Support in Disaster Management, NIMHANS, Bengaluru and Don Bosco College, Sulthan Bathery in Wayanad District, to commemorate the fifth year of TMHP activities. Scheduled from 9 - 11 January, 2024, at the Don Bosco College Campus in Sulthan Bathery, Wayanad, this event aims at exploring various Innovations in Interventions including health and mental health for the Indigenous Population of our country. With sub-themes, focusing on integration, such as right to health and mental health, the right to education, the rights of children, women, persons with disabilities, and senior citizens belonging to the tribal population, and the prevention of substance abuse, prevention and the management of disaster situations and livelihood. The conference promises a dynamic exchange of ideas. We eagerly anticipate your enriching participation.

The Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences (IMHANS), Calicut is an autonomous institution established by the Government of Kerala in the year 1982. The Government of India has recognized IMHANS as a centre of excellence for manpower development in mental health. The institute has highly competent faculty members, clinicians, and is equipped with modern infrastructure facilities to cater to the needs of service users. At present IMHANS provides services in community psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry and general psychiatry.

The Tribal Mental Health Project became functional in 2018 for providing mobile mental health services to the tribal population in Wayanad, treating the mentally ill at their homes. The project completed its five years of functioning. Initially funded by the Social Justice Department of the Government of Kerala, the project is currently supported by the Directorate of Scheduled Tribes Development, Government of Kerala. The TMHP team is Providing treatment and care to more than 750 active patients, belonging to the tribes of Paniya, Kurma, Kuricha, Karimbalan, Adigas, Kattunayika, Ooraali Kuruma, Oorali, Thachanaadan Moopan and Wayanad Kadar. The team is functioning across Wayanad district.

The National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) is the apex institute for Neuro sciences and mental health in the country and is renowned as multidisciplinary institute for patient care and academic pursuits in the field of mental health and neurosciences. It is synonymous with providing high standards of clinical care, quality training, and cutting-edge research in the frontier areas. NIMHANS was recognized by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, GOI, as a nodal agency for Psychosocial support (PSS) in disaster in 2005, as a ‘Centre of Excellence’ by the National Disaster Management Authority in 2010, and a Nodal agency for Psychosocial support and Mental Health services for the COVID 19 pandemic in 2020.

Recognizing the need for furtherance of the objectives of PSSMHS, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, GoI sanctioned the Department for Psychosocial Support in Disaster Management at NIMHANS in August 2019. Since its enhancement, it has been striving to keep the vision and mission at the national and international levels in the specialized cross-cutting theme of psychosocial support and mental health services in promotive, preventive, and curative aspects. The Department of Psychosocial Support in Disaster Management (DPSSDM) has been involved in psychosocial support and mental health services (PSSMHS) for disaster survivors in the past four decades. This includes psychosocial first aid, care, support, rehabilitation, construction, preparedness, capacity building, hazard vulnerability risk reduction, and mitigation. Further, human resource development, research, program developments, and policy initiatives have been at the forefront. The department also works with various marginalized communities, especially with the indigenous population in various vulnerable and disaster-risk-prone areas.

Don Bosco College affiliated to the University of Calicut is started in the year 2005 with an aim of catering to the educational needs of the youth of Wayanad. The college aspires to mould the students to take the lead in creating a just and human society where the dignity of the human person is respected, where unjust social structures are challenged, where our cultural heritage of ahimsa, religious harmony and national integration are upheld, and where the poor and marginalised are specially taken care of. The College offers 9 undergraduate and 4 post graduate programs along with career oriented add on courses, MoU based student enrichment programs and qualitative co-curricular and extra curricular activities. Around 1000 students are currently pursuing their education from the campus. The college has rendered remarkable service in the development of young citizens with values, knowledge, skills and leadership qualities.

Scheduled Tribes in India are commonly called as ‘Adivasis,’ meaning indigenous people or original inhabitants of the country. The people who belong to scheduled tribes have often been confined to low socio-economic status and are physically and socially isolated instead of being absorbed into the mainstream population. The Scheduled Tribes experience a passive lack of concern, time and again, that may take the form of exclusion from educational opportunities, social participation, and access to their own land. All these factors have a significant impact on the health and mental health of the tribal population which is something that has been neglected over the years because of lack of availability, accessibility, and affordability of services. Even though Scheduled Tribes are a minority, they constitute about 8.2 % of the total population in India or 85 million people in absolute number. The tribal population is an integral part of India.

Join us for a groundbreaking conference dedicated to exploring and advancing the rights, health and mental health of tribal communities. This event will bring together experts, activists, scholars, and community leaders to discuss crucial issues, share research, and foster collaboration for the betterment of tribal populations.

This conference will address the critical issues affecting the well-being of Indigenous communities, including rights and interventions in:

Last date for Abstract Submission: 30-Nov-2024

Acceptance and Confirmation: 15-Dec-2024

Last date for Full Paper Submission:: 31-Dec-2024

Abstract and full paper should be sent to: tmhp2025@gmail.com

Registration fee payable to Organising Secretary TMHP Conference

Banking Details

Bank Name: INDIAN OVERSEAS BANK

Branch Name: Kozhikode

Account Number: 00410100002482

IFSC Code: IOBA0000041

BY ROAD : Sulthan Bathery by road is well-connected by highways from Kozhikode(93 Kms), Mysuru (115 Kms ), and Ooty (94 Kms ) with scenic drives from any direction; buses and personal vehicles make it easily accessible from major cities.

BY TRAIN : The Nearest Railway station to Sulthan Bathery is either Kozhikode, Kerala or Mysuru, Karnataka.

BY AIR : The nearest international airports to Sulthan Bathery are Calicut International Airport (102 Kms away), Kannur Airport (103 Kms away) and Mysore Airport (105 Kms away)

For more information, please contact:

Email: tmhp2025@gmail.com

Phone: Ms. Aigel Santhosh 98955 47635

Dr. P. Krishnakumar (Director, IMHANS, Kozhikode)

Dr. Subhasis Bhadra (Professor & Head, Department of PSSDM, NIMHANS, Bengaluru)

Rev. Fr. Antony Thekkedath S.D.B (Manager, Don Bosco, College, Sulthan Bathery)

Dr. Jobin Tom (Nodal Officer, TMHP)

Dr. Praveenkumar K (Medical Officer, TMHP)

Dr. Jayakumar C (Additional Professor, Department of PSSDM, NIMHANS, Bangalore)

Dr. Gobinda Majhi (Additional Professor, Department of Psychiatric Social Work, NIMHANS, Bangalore)

Dr. Fr. Shajan (Principal, Don Bosco, College, Sulthan Bathery)

Ms. Sherin Baby (Head, Department of Social Work, Don Bosco College, Sulthan Bathery)

Ms. Sharanya M (Head, Department of Psychology, Don Bosco College, Sulthan Bathery)

Ms. Sonia Chacko (Project Coordinator, TMHP, IMHANS)

Ms. Shanifa A (Pharmacist, TMHP, IMHANS)

Ms. Joshma George (Registered Nurse, TMHP, IMHANS)

Dr. Anish P. K (Medical Superintendent, IMHANS)

Dr. Suja Mathew (Head, Department of Clinical Psychology, IMHANS)

Dr. Reena George (Head, Department of Psychiatric Nursing, IMHANS)

Dr. Seema P. Uthaman (Head, Department of Psychiatric Social Work, IMHANS)