National Institute for the Mentally Handicapped

The Institute was registered in 1984 under Societies Registration Act, 1860 as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India. The National Institute for the Mentally Handicapped (NIMH) located in Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh, is committed to develop models of care for persons with mentally handicap, conduct research in the area of mental handicap, promote human resource development and work with mentally handicapped persons in the country.

Objectives

• Develop appropriate models of care and rehabilitation for the mentally retarded persons appropriate to Indian conditions.
  
• Develop manpower for delivery of services to the mentally handicapped.
  
• Identify, conduct and coordinate research in the area of mentally handicapped.
  
• Provide consultancy services to voluntary organizations in the area of mentally handicapped and to assist them wherever necessary.
  
• Serve as a documentation and information center in the area of mental retardation.
  
• Acquire relevant data to assess the magnitude/causes, rural-urban composition, socio-economic factors, etc. of mental retardation in the country.
  
• Promote and stimulate growth of various kinds of quality sources in the country for persons with mental retardation throughout the country.
  

The headquarters of the institute is based at Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh. The Regional Centres of NIMH are located at Mumbai, Calcutta and New Delhi.

Human Resource Development Programs

Diploma in Mental Retardation: Duration - 1 year

The total number of training centers being run under the aegis of this institute is 28.
Each center has 20 seats.

Degree in Mental Retardation: Duration - 3 years

The three year Course of Bachelor's Degree in Mental Retardation, affiliated to Osmania University since 1987, is an interdisciplinary course designed to train skilled manpower to provide comprehensive services to persons with mental retardation.

Diploma in Vocational Training and Employment

The Institute started this in November, 1995 at two centers - Secunderabad and Chennai.

Refresher courses

Four courses are conducted every year during the summer at headquarters and its regional centers at Delhi, Calcutta and Mumbai. These courses are attended by professionals who are given update on recent developments with the objective to enhance their knowledge and skill training and special education, assessment and intervention in language/communication aspects, development and implementation of individualized educational program as also techniques of classroom management and early intervention programs.

Short Term Courses

Nearly 40 short-term courses are conducted by the institute covering the areas of special education, medical aspects, behavior modification, urban and rural services, vocational training, speech and language training programs. The following are a few short term courses conducted at the Institute:

• Workshop on Basic Mental Retardation
• Orientation Camp on Special Olympics
• Workshop for Special educators
• Orientation Program for Multi-purpose health workers
• Training Program for Speech pathologists
• Training Program for ICDS/Anganwadi Workers
• Workshop on Behavior modification
• Workshop for Psychologists
• Parent Training Programs

Research and Development Projects

Research projects have been taken up during the year 1995-96 with the help of Non-Government Organizations throughout the country and they were/are being continued during the year 1996-97.

Documentation and Dissemination

During 1995-96 the institute disseminated information on 1000 items comprising abstracts of journal articles, news items of interest of professionals. A bulletin service MENTARD is distributed to 600 organizations/professionals in the country.