The president of the National Council for Mental Health-Sahanaya awarded Fellowship Award by the Royal College of Psychiatrists-UK

Dr Nirosha Mendis, President of the National Council for Mental Health has been awarded the Fellowship of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in the United Kingdom in recognition of his major contributions towards the development of mental health in Sri Lanka.

Dr. Nirosha Mendis has made significant contribution towards the development of mental health services. Having returned to Sri Lanka after completing his specialty examinations in the UK Dr. Mendis joined the nongovernment and non-profit organization the National Council for Mental Health, Sri Lanka, a body incorporated in Parliament by a statute, first as its Medical Director, and later he became its President, both in an entirely voluntary capacity. The National Council manages a Mental Health Resource Centre in Colombo and a Residential Center in Gorakana, Panadura

His contributions to the development of mental health have been innovative, comprehensive and current, very responsive to the local needs and circumstances, and holistic by approach. They span a wide range of areas from introducing new clinical hospital care intervention programmes to greatly improving community mental health services, and capacity development. They have had far reaching impact. To provide services at the community level the Management Committee of the National Council led by Dr. Mendis gave leadership and provided resources for the staff to improve and introduced new activities at the Community Mental Health Resource Centre in Colombo to meet the emerging needs of persons with long-term mental disorder. These included assessment, care, continuing care and referral, skills development, psych education, self-help support groups and social care.

He established, and now with the Management Committee administers a residential facility for sixty five persons to provide services to those with long-term mental disorders. Under his leadership a biopsychosocial approach is being practiced in the rehabilitation and social integration programmes to comprehensively meet the needs of this group; this includes catering to individuals with personality disorders. To meet the growing demand for help in psychosocial distress he established new assessment programmes and psychosocial care activities including counselling for those attending the Center in Colombo.

Promotion of mental health and preventive programmes Under his leadership the Community Centre launched a series of programmes to prevent mental disorders and promote mental health in the society at both the institutional and community levels, targeting children, teachers, social workers and particular occupational groups. Dr Mendis spearheaded a subtle campaign to bring the importance of mental health to the fore of society, and through his personal charisma and skills as a communicator, he has ensured that mental health is now viewed by society as an integral component of health and wellbeing. This has been a major change. He has through personal appearances in popular medical programmes on health in the visual media, and by authoring books in local languages improved society’s perception of mental health. This new public education programme on mental health has generated much public interest in mental health and has contributed to reducing the stigma in the community. Dr Mendis facilitated the establishment of a mental health information service at the Colombo Centre which conducts activities aimed at potential service users. This service has wide reach throughout the country and is very successful especially as a resource for those living in rural areas to access mental health services.

Through advocacy Dr. Mendis has made every attempt to bring mental health out of isolation to the fore of public discourse. He has, consequently, promoted the mobilisation of funds for mental health, and helped greatly to integrate mental health into other sectors including health, education, social care and management. Research and Development Dr Mendis has provided opportunities at the resource centre for academics, researchers, professionals and students to engage in research and training on mental health. International and local students use this facility. Following the tsunami of 2004, he collaborated with researchers in Israel and Japan on research in mental health. Institutional strengthening and capacity development As medical director he took the leadership in developing and managing all professional activities and programmes at the National Council for Mental Health. As its President he has initiated several programmes on professional mental health education and training. During their regular attachments at the community mental health centre in Colombo, psychiatric trainees, general practitioners, medical students, and nurses are given a special training in assessment and care of persons with mental disorder for them to practice in different settings. In addition other categories of personnel working with individuals with mental disorders, such as social workers, occupational therapists and community workers are also given appropriate training. A Diploma 6 course in practical counselling offered at the Centre is very popular among mental health professionals. As previously the Medical Director, and now the President of the National Council for Mental Health he has given leadership to develop the necessary infrastructure and administration of the institution to become the leading non-governmental mental health organisation in Sri Lanka. He has supported the National Council to develop partnerships with local and international organizations and has successfully mobilized resources. Contact Us No: 96 / 20, Kithulwatta Road, Colombo 08 +94 11 2 685960 / +94 11 2 685950 Hotline - 0776996367 www.nmch.lk council@nmch.lk