rehabilitation and occupational therapy units, and more disturbed patients are managed inside the wards. A recovery model is used at NIMH for rehabilitation while providing life skills training to the patients at the same time. Occupational therapists are in charge of rehabilitation and their primary task includes improving the quality of life while making the patients independent. The treatments range from activity-based treatments, cognitive stimulation, anger management, social skills, life skills, drama therapy, music-based therapy, art-based therapy, horticulture to vocational training. For this purpose, they engage the patients in a wide variety of activities such as gardening, rug weaving, sewing, making soft toys, cooking, painting etc. Social reintegration is also considered to be of utmost importance and measures are being taken by the social workers and the hospital staff to support the patients’ social and legal service needs such as getting an identity card, and to find the rehabilitated patients suitable employment opportunities. Hospital Staff Having the approved number of officials for each designation within any organization is of paramount importance. It was observed that NIMH lacks the Department of Management Services approved cadre positions for many roles including medical consultants, medical officers, psychologists, special grade occupational therapists, nursing master/sisters, psychiatric social workers, support staff, and an accountant. The Commission also noticed that the unavailability of male nurses was a significant problem. As a result, most of the time female nursing staff are assigned to male wards where they have to constantly seek the assistance of support staff to carry out their tasks. It was further conveyed that consultants, medical officers, and the nursing staff are leaving the NIMH in large numbers for migration to other countries. It was evident from the facts gathered that the staff shortages may cause the care given to the patients to deteriorate. Furthermore, through a sample document provided by NIMH, the Commission noted that out of 589 staff members, there are 134 persons whose tenure at NIMH exceeded 20 years. Out of them, 15 have been working at the premises for over 30 years. It was revealed that some of these people who have been working at the NIMH for a prolonged period are reluctant to change their methods of handling patients. Apart from their refusal to adhere to the acceptable norms, it was revealed that they sometimes refuse to listen to their superior’s advice as well. Furthermore, it was conveyed by some senior staff members that, giving first appointment for nurses and supportive staff at NIMH might not be appropriate since they lack practical knowledge as to how to deal with persons with mental illnesses. In addition, a majority of the staff members encounter challenges in communicating with Tamil speaking patients. Even though it was stated that they seek assistance from other patients, members of the support staff, or use google translate, it is unclear if they can accurately ascertain the patients’ requirements. Moreover, it was revealed that while the training sessions given to staff focus on the technical aspects of patient handling, no training was provided regarding the mental health conditions of the patients, their behavior, or their rights. Even though attendants receive at least some training prior to their appointment, the Commission discovered that, the other support staff members who are known as “Saukya Karya 6|Page