On April 15, 2009, the Neurosciences Foundation, Bengal, Kolkata Municipal Corporation, and the Government of West Bengal established the Institute of Neurosciences, Kolkata (I-NK), a public-private partnership. On July 1, 2024, INK announced the opening of a new three-story mental health facility that will provide comprehensive, specialized, and easily accessible mental health services, marking a significant step towards improving mental health care in the area.

IN-K opened its doors to an inpatient facility department on December 9, 2020, five years ago, to serve critically ill mental health patients in a 20-bed facility. The Honorable Health Secretary of the Government of WB, Shri Narayan Swarup Nigam, officially inaugurated it. It is unique in Eastern India and has a state-of-the-art In-Patient Psychiatric Wing with a modified ECT facility in a super specialty neurocare setup. It comprises a group of additional psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, psychiatric social workers, rehabilitation psychologists, and speech therapists under the direction of Dr. Praveen Kumar.

To commemorate this momentous occasion, IN-K celebrated with a grand event. The event witnessed the presence of Shri Narayan Swarup Nigam, Hon’ble Secretary of Health, Govt of WB, Guest of Honor Dr. Rima Mukherji, Senior Psychiatrist, President: Indian Psychiatric Society, West Bengal Chapter, and eminent Rifle shooter at the Olympics, Mr. Joydeep Karmakar.

The performances of both current and former patients who overcame challenging times and are now enjoying brighter days were featured in this event.

Additionally, the outpatient department provides innovative therapy treatments, including Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), to mental health facilities. The department has added rTMS services. The FDA has authorized it as a novel and cutting-edge treatment for OCD and depression. Magnetic pulses are used in this non-invasive brain stimulation treatment to activate particular brain regions.

Patients in need might also receive ketamine therapy from the outpatient department. Low-dose ketamine is used in ketamine therapy, a fast-acting mental health treatment, to elevate mood and lessen severe depression symptoms.

Their dedication to mental health goes beyond this facility’s boundaries. They frequently run community outreach initiatives to promote early intervention, lessen stigma, and educate the public about mental health. The community is engaged and supported through regular workshops, support groups, and educational seminars.

The department also runs speciality clinics like Internet Addiction Clinic, Eating Disorder Clinic, OCD Clinic, Psycho sexual Clinic, and Substance Abuse and Deaddiction Clinic. There will also be a dedicated Early Intervention Centre for Autism and developmental disorders, one of its kind in eastern India, with a comprehensive Speech therapy unit, Paediatric occupational therapy unit, and Behavioural therapy unit under the supervision of Child Psychiatrists.

The department’s goal is to offer specialized, private, and reasonably priced care in a kind, encouraging, and healing setting. Psychopharmacology, psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, family therapy, and holistic approaches are all part of their multidisciplinary approach. The committed team puts out endless effort to make sure the clients feel appreciated and supported during their rehabilitation process.

The Psychiatric Outpatient Wing is at the Institute of Neurosciences Annexe building at 7, West Range, Kolkata –700017, beside the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission at Beckbagan.

The Department of Neuropsychiatry at the I-NK main campus also has a 20-bed facility.

With such excellent initiatives, I-NK is ensuring that no patient from any background is devoid of getting the best treatment.

Priyanka Dutta