Department of Psychiatry

General Medicine

Department of Psychiatry

The Department of Psychiatry seeks to advance clinical standards of mental health care through participation in research and educational programs like C.M.E., Conferences, Workshops, Guest lectures, Seminars and Quizs. The objectives of the department are to increase clinical efficiency, to practice evidence based medicine, to achieve local, state and national recognition for quality and to educate professionals in the care of persons with mental illness. The department trains undergraduate students in the medical, dental, physiotherapy and nursing streams (B.Sc., M.Sc. and PhD. Nursing), M.S.W (Medical and Psychiatric Social Work) and M.Sc. in Clinical Psychology. The department runs a Post Graduate programme in Psychiatry and the number of intake has increased to 5 residents per year from 2020. The department has started an M.Phil. in Psychiatric Social Work programme in 2018. Senior faculty from the department of psychiatric social work and guest faculty in the field are involved in training the M.Phil. students.

Community Service

Community extension clinics and outreach programmes are held at Nitte Rural Psychiatry Centre and the faculty conduct weekly psychiatry consultation clinics at government - run Community Health Center at Vittal. These community extension activities have the objective of taking mental health care to the most remote and out of reach sections of the society.

The department has an MOU with Shri Kshethra Dharmastala Rural Development Programme (SKDRDP) and is involved in providing the necessary medical treatment for patients admitted to de-addiction camps. The department also conducts various mental health awareness campaigns in collaboration with various NGOs like Lion’s club, Rotary club and other social services organizations.

For any information regarding the admissions,mail us at: info@nitte.edu.in

Faculty

Research Activities

The department has made a distinct mark in psychopharmacology research. It has a 700sq.ft. air conditioned, research laboratory with freezer centrifuge, -20 degree freezer and 2 refrigerators. Thirty-two international drug studies have been conducted by the department. At present, there are 6 research projects. Apart from obtaining ICH-GCP training and training in psychiatric research, the staff have been accredited and certified to use several research instruments in assessment and interview.

Ongoing Research Projects

  • Development of evidence based lay -health worker delivered psycho-social intervention module for women with common mental disorders in rural India: A population based study-
  • Analysis of PATHWAYS TO CARE among patients with schizophrenia in south-India: a multi-centre study
  • Development of Peer Delivered Psycho-social Intervention Module for Women Caregivers of People with HIV/AIDS
  • Effectiveness of community based lay-health worker driven early intervention programme for psychoses in rural India
  • Study entitled “Do Antenatal Heart Rate Variability and Cortisol levels predict Maternal Postnatal Psychological Stress levels?” is underway.

Services

The department has a daily out-patient service and a separate in-patient care for men and women. The department runs a de-addiction facility, conducts psychiatric diagnostic tests, multibehavioural therapy in addition to a spectrum of psychotherapeutic facilities.

Special Clinics run by the department

  • Neuro Psychiatry Clinic for elderly / Psychomotor Clinic
  • Child Guidance clinic
  • De Addiction
  • Memory Clinic
  • Family Counselling
  • Community Psychiatry

Specialist treatment like ECT and TDCS are also provided.

The University provides free Geriatric Daycare Center services in the hospital which is managed by the Department of Psychiatry

The faculty from the department are involved in training and running a Suicide Helpline Service.

Community Service

Community extension clinics and outreach programmes are held at Nitte Rural Psychiatry Centre and the faculty conduct weekly psychiatry consultation clinics at government - run Community Health Center at Vittal. These community extension activities have the objective of taking mental health care to the most remote and out of reach sections of the society.

The department has an MOU with Shri Kshethra Dharmastala Rural Development Programme (SKDRDP) and is involved in providing the necessary medical treatment for patients admitted to de-addiction camps. The department also conducts various mental health awareness campaigns in collaboration with various NGOs like Lion’s club, Rotary club and other social services organizations.