Support Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF) India to provide affordable health care, treatment and medications for people with mental health issues who constitute 12-15% of the general population, many of whom do not seek help.

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What is SCARF and how is it helping to provide mental health care and treatment?

Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF) India, founded in 1984 by a group of mental health professionals and philanthropists headed by Padma Bhushan Dr M. Sarada Menon is a mental health non-profit organization based at Chennai, Tamil Nadu, offering a multidisciplinary, comprehensive range of psychiatric care and rehabilitation services . The Board of Management composed of persons from different walks of life, oversees and guides the administration. SCARF has been a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre since 1996 (www.scarfindia.org).

Our vision is to make mental health care accessible for all. During the Covid pandemic, SCARF is making sure to provide mental health care by providing counseling services and treatment through tele consultations. Our other services include:

  • A well worked out program of psycho social rehabilitation with a focus on employment.
  • Providing subsidized or free of cost treatment to many poor patients.
  • Community outreach in Pudukottai, Thiruporur etc- treated more than 5000 persons- free of cost.
  • Special clinic for Early Intervention in Psychoses.
  • Dementia Care, education and training.
  • Training of different health professionals in mental health.
  • Post graduate teaching of psychiatrists ( National Board).
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Why do people with mental Illness need help especially at this time?

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted or halted critical mental health services in 93% of countries worldwide while the demand for mental health is increasing, according to a new WHO survey. The severity of the COVID 19 pandemic has made it extremely difficult for the mentally ill. Difficulty in accessing health care services, finding medications, moving around freely, inability to meet family and friends who were supporting them have all made their lives more difficult. This is more in remote, rural areas.

Apart from that, fear, anxiety , insecurity about the future, increased alcohol and substance abuse , disruptions in work and education have all added to the stress.

What is the on-going project for which we are seeking help?

Our present project is the construction of a state of the art Dementia Care facility in Tambaram, one of the suburbs of Chennai. We are actively seeking help for this project.

Tell me about the SCARF Suit John Fellowship and how I can contribute?

During the 20 years Sujit John was with SCARF, he played a critical role in many of our activities. He coordinated all national and international research programmes, was i/c of HR, and was a great mentor to many young colleagues.  A person of great integrity, efficiency and empathy, he was loved by all. His loss at the age of 51 to cancer was a huge blow to us.

In order to cherish his memory, we have initiated the “SCARF Sujit John Research Fellowship”. This will invite applications from all over the country from researchers less than 40 years of age.  This will build research capacity in the field of psychosis and ultimately lead to a consortium and network of researchers.

This is an appeal to contribute towards this Fellowship and help us honour Sujit’s name.