Times of India
09 January 2010
By Renuka Suryavanshi

Schizophrenia awareness association, a city–based NGO, Organized a workshop for parents of mentally challenged people
It was an unusual meeting of over 115 parents. They had gathered to get their queries answered about the future of their mentally challenged wards. The workshop was organized under the auspices of the Schizophrenia Awareness Association (SAA), an NGO working for People with schizophrenia, to mark its 12th anniversary.

Gurudatt kundapurkar, SAA vice President, says, “The main objective of the workshop was to provides a platform for these people to share their views and problems Questions pertaining to getting share in property, what if family members abandon them, marriage–related Issues, need for basic requirements like accommodation with adequate facilities, vocational Training programmes were raised.”

Dr Ulhas Luktuke, psychiatrist who was invited for the Workshop, “There is a dire need for a vocational facility center in the city that will cater to the need of the patients and their parents. They genuinely need concern.”

Smita Godse, an SAA volunteer, “These people need support to cope with the conditions. SAA has been following the rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). Out of around 700 methods, we are using around 50. We run a day–care center also where the patient spends their time in painting, drawing, cooking, singing and other activities.”