Through psychiatric rehabilitation we aim at restoration of the mentally challenged to the fullest physical, mental, social, vocational and economic usefulness which they are capable of. As a part of this, we are providing vocational training and treatment. This institution is open to all mentally ill orphans who require our service.
The inmates go through a daily disciplined routine rising at 4.00am. After the morning chores which includes bath, they are ready for physical exercise. This enables their stiff limbs to become agile and flexible. After taking advantage of the morning freshness, they spend time in prayer and meditation. The physical exercise and prayer session help to relax their mind considerably. The warm breakfast which follows immediately, supplies energy for the different tasks each one has to undertake till noon. Some work in the kitchen garden, others in the flower garden, some look after the gas plant, others go to wash the dishes. A few others go to all the buildings cleaning every room and the compound. A few, who are able, get engaged in the carpet making unit and soap making unit while a few others learn tailoring and help in repairing the dresses. Some of them will be engaged with in and the training they receive practicing Band. The Band troupe, Carpet making unit and Soap making unit will be useful for the inmates themselves if they return home.
Snehatheeram has a well trained band troupe of 25 able inmates. An idea of band troupe rose in the heart of Sr. Roselin in the light of the realization that music is a good therapy for person with mental illness and deranged minds can seek peace and happiness in music. But it was very difficult to coordinate and train the mentally ill women from different states and speaks different languages. Many experts came to Snehatheeram to train these women, but all were failed in this difficult task. One of the retired Sub Inspectors of 3rd Battalion of Kerala Police Mr. R. Sajeevan put a hand on this herculean task by coordinating these women under his well- planned training methods. Snehatheeram begins its miraculous beats on 9th October 2010 in a public function under the supervision of Mr. Sajeevan
Harmony of our band troupe is the unity among the members, who are speaking different languages, following different cultures, and also the women who lose their emotional balance episodically. We are giving training to more inmates for replacing the members when they lose their emotional control.
Public functions, Raza, Festivals, Processions etc are some places where they got opportunities to showcase their talent. The income from the band troupe is using for the maintenance of mentally ill women of Snehatheeram. Snehatheeram team acquired the recognition as first band troupe of mentally ill women.
The inmates also practice & make carpet from used clothes. Able inmates actively participate.
Other activities involve prayer therapy, gardening, organic farming, soap making, tailoring, physical exercises, meditation (yoga), group sessions, cultural programme, awareness classes, picnics etc.
News paper reading, watching television, indoor and outdoor games etc. further help to relax their tense minds. Talents have been identified and the training is on.
The institution has a library and reading room for those inmates who are able to read. Some of them are well educated but unable to use their education due to mental illness.
Discussions and debates on different topics after reading the news papers help the inmates to open up and speak out their opinions. Special awareness classes on personal hygiene, positive mental health, first aid and stress management are given on a regular basis. Occasionally the inmates are taken out for picnic to expose them to the outside world.
Prayer therapy is another method used to calm their nerves. They find peace and joy through prayer and practice of silence. Physical Exercise, Yoga and Meditation in the morning help to relax their mind and body.
There are many from among the inmates who are talented in dancing, singing and various forms of Arts. The anniversary celebrations, Republic day Independence Day, Onam, Christmas, Eid, Vishu, and other festivities offer them ample opportunities during the year to perform. The performances include multi religious art forms. Important days like world mental health day, world women’s day, world environmental day, world geriatric day, and world aids day are also observed. We are organizing and participating in Seminars, rallys, awareness classes, Debates, and cultural programmes. We give training for our talented inmates in singing, dancing, drawing, writing etc. various residential associations, Clubs, college and school association’s co-ordinate cultural programmes which help the inmates to improve their skill by participating.