The Maharashtra Institute of Mental Health (MIMH), Indian Medical Association College of General Practitioners, General Practitioners Association, Pune (GPA) and Pune Psychiatrists Association have jointly organized a three month certificate course in mental health in Pune.

The training programme will have over 20 lectures to enable GPs to segregate, identify, refer and treat mental health disorders at a basic level, says Dr. V. Billempelly, the President of GPA. "Such a course has been long overdue. As GPs, we get to see many patients who can be identified as metal health border line patients, GPs can reduce the taboo associated with the mental health and take the load off the psychiatrists," he added. Thirty- five general practitioners have already registered for the programme, it is learnt.

While, an increasing number of patients are now opting to approach psychiatrists, the city lacks adequate trained mental care professionals. Many of the psychiatrists in the city also are doubtful about the state of various counseling practices that have mushroomed in the city in the last five years.

Brigadier Dr. N. B. Pethe of Pune Psychiatric Association explained that even the WHO guideline has recommended that GPs should have skills to detect and even treat a psychological disorder at a primary level. "A family doctor is a first contact of the patient, he is generally trusted, knows the family history and can definitely identify behavioural and mental disorders before they get complicated.''

The syllabus of the course will introduce GPs to psychological ailments, their prevalence , basic treatment along with confidential case studies and interviews. Dr. M. R. Dhadphale, organising member of this course informed that one out of five patients complaining of physical distress could have some or the other psychological root cause.

"The stigma is very much there with mental disorder even today. It is not possible for us to see many cases everyday, because sufficient time has to be spent with every patient,'' he said.