Objectives
of the booklet
Consumers
of mental health services are forced to consider emergency
psychiatric procedures. In this booklet, we are discussing
one such emergency procedure widely used in India- ECT, popularly
known as “Shock Treatment”.
Through
this booklet, we aim to raise consumer awareness about ECT.
We are not denying that some consumers may have benefited from
a careful use of the procedure. But we believe that ECT is
widely used and misused in India. This may be because good
quality psycho-social interventions are not available.
We
advocate for the development of policies and laws for the regulation
of the procedure. We also advocate for the abolishment of ECT
procedure without anesthesia.
As
consumers, we must challenge the mental health service system
in India to create more humane therapeutic alternatives than
ECT. The booklet presents basic information on ECT procedures
in the context of consumer needs and human rights.
The
booklet is written in simple language and gives readily accessible
information to a wide range of community based workers, program
managers and professionals. It can be used in human rights
forums to highlight the human rights abuses happening within
the mental health system. The booklet can also be used in training
programs on community mental health.
Contents:
1.
Bijli ki Kahani [Origins of ECT]
2. What is the procedure?
3. Direct ECT and human rights
4. Modified ECT
5. Community stories about ECT
Several
discussions in Bapu Trust with senior colleagues and researchers,
as well as a study of literature in the field, including consumer
literature, has informed the writing process. The booklet is
intended for the widest possible non-commercial use.
Excerpts
from the booklet:
Details
of the publication:
Price: Rs.
20/- [If posted: add Rs. 40]
No. of pages: 40pp.
Produced by: CAMH/Bapu, Pune, 2004
Written by: Bhargavi Davar and Deepra Dandekar
Layout and formatting: Marion Jhunja, Pune
