On October 28, 2025, students from the Department of Social Work (BSW and MSW) at Don Bosco College visited the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, as part of their orientation programme. The visit aimed to provide practical exposure to mental health services and the role of social workers in psychiatric settings. A faculty member accompanied the students.
The orientation session, led by Ms. Chitra M, Social Worker at NIMHANS, covered the institute’s history and evolution, as well as the functions of the Department of Psychiatric Social Work. She explained its work across specialized units such as OPD, Pediatric Psychiatry, De-addiction, Digital Addiction, and Forensic Psychiatry. Ms. Chitra also noted that the department collaborates with several NGOs and offers M.Phil. and Ph.D. programmes that combine academic and field-based learning.
Following the briefing, the students undertook a guided visit to various wards, including the Psychiatric Wards for Men and Women, the Geriatric Psychiatry Ward, the Forensic Psychiatry Ward, the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Ward, and the Neurosurgery Ward.
The visit provided students with meaningful insights into the practice of psychiatric social work and the structure of mental health services at a leading national institution. It proved to be an enriching and informative learning experience for all participants.
