Non Formal Education

This programme includes classes on Human Rights, taught by a specialist instructor, knowledge of 3 R’s and also exposures on General Knowledge, Current Affairs and basic Geography etc. This programme is expected to empower the residents and also make them aware of the wider society around them.

Social & Cultural Therapy

This is an important aspect of the total therapeutic process .The endeavor here is to unearth the creativity, which may lie dormant in all human beings including our residents. Expressions of creativity manifest themselves in self confidence and better social interaction. This aspect of therapy consists of learning of Music, Dramatics, Yoga and Painting.

1) Music
Every resident is required to join the music lesions which are held regularly. Those with previous exposures in music and better skill levels are encouraged to take part in the functions organized by Paripurnata like, Independence Day, Tegore’s Birthday and Mental Health Week etc. Invitees to these functions which often include eminent citizens have lauded the efforts of our residents.

2) Dramatics
Drama therapy sessions help the resident to express themselves in different ways. Short plays and skits, in which the residents take part have been presented in various functions organized by us to the acclaim of the audience.

3) Yoga
Yoga has universally been accepted as form of exercise which helps in our psychical and mental well being. Our experience has shown that regular Yoga classes under a trained instructor, do help in the process of recovery.

4) Painting
Painting is another activity which brings out the creativity of a person. A person often expresses himself through painting which often can not be articulated otherwise. Our residents are taught to paint by a trained painter who is also exposed to the therapeutic value of painting.

We plan to hold an exhibition of paintings and greeting cards along with other items made by our residents like handkerchiefs, table mats, bed covers, purses, bndhini work and processed food items etc. Apart from raising some much needed fund, the exhibition may also help us to generate awareness of the lay public about our programme.

Family Counseling

A family is the unit where the residents are ultimately rehabilitated after completion of their stay at Paripurnata. It is of vital importance to prepare the family for successful acceptance of the resident back into its fold. Efforts are made to contact the available and responsible members of the resident’s family. They are invited to visit Paripurnata to share and interact with the residents as often as possible. The members of the family are counseled regularly on general awareness of mental illness and specific illness of the resident in particular. They are also counseled on the importance of continuation of regular medication and other therapeutic process, after a resident is rehabilitate in the family.

This difficult and arduous task may entail repeated visits to the families located in remote places. We also encourage the members of the family to spend a day with the resident. A better method would have been to arrange for their stay for a few days which is not possible at the moment, as the 2nd floor of our building is not fully functional.

Family Meet of the Residents and Ex- Residents

These meeting are organized so that families of the residents can interact between themselves, exchange ideas and information, and also speak about their difficulties and feelings. At least two such meetings are planned in a year. We also try to invite the family of the ex residents so that they can share their experiences and views of the rehabilitate person with the families of the present residents.

House Visits

House visits are regularly made to establish and remain in contact with the families of the residents. At least four such visits in a month are planned for each resident. The number of visits may vary from family to family depending on the various social factors. It also involves graded exposure of the resident to her family life, in the form of limited stay with them for a few days. This exposure enables the residents as well as a family to make necessary adjustments and better assimilation.

Staff Training and Professional Growth

Continuous training and exposure of our staff members and instructors to newer methodologies in our chosen vocation of rehabilitation of the mentally ill women are of utmost importance. These are achieved through training sessions and staff and instructors meet.

a) Staff and Instructors meet
The process of Bandhini work as well as food processing (e.g making of squash, jam, jelly, pickle etc.) have been introduced with the help of Ankur Kala, a Kolkata based voluntary organiz ation.

b) Training
Our staff is encouraged to take part in lectures, seminars and workshops on various aspects of mental health, motivation, leadership skills and Behavioural Science etc. organized by Paripurnata and other voluntary and academic organizations, to develop their individual and professional skills. To update the knowledge base of our staff and instructors, we are gradually trying to build up our library of professional publications.