"Mental health does not get the same importance placed on it as other health concerns by the Ministry of Health. It lags behind due to the stigma attached to this health condition and the attitude of authorities." This was stated in the first address at the opening of the exhibition and sale by mental patients at the Lionel Wendt on Friday 10th, which day is designated World Mental Health Day.

It was a pity chief guest Nimal Siripala de Silva was not present, ‘due to unforeseen circumstances’. He had not delegated an official to represent him either, so there were no VIPs from the Health Ministry present. The World Health Organisation, on the other hand, was well represented by Dr Vijaya Chandra from New Delhi, Area Director; Dr John Monahi and others. Dr Harischandra Gambheera, consultant psychiatrist, made the welcome address.

Facts that emerged from the speeches:

* 450 million people are mentally ill worldwide, of whom only 15 percent receive treatment.

* The new approach to curing and caring for the mentally ill is community help combined with emphasis on traditional methods that ensure wellbeing.

* Wellbeing is being measured and encouraged positively by the WHO in a bid to decrease the incidence of mental disorders

* Our part of the world is rich in traditional preventive and curative methods, which are now being used in the west. These methods are meditation, particularly vipassana; yoga; traditional medicines like oils being applied to the forehead, and of course strong support from the extended family

* The mentally ill are gifted in various ways and these latent talents have to be tapped and encouraged.

Proof of the last was the exhibition and sale mounted at the Lionel Wendt both in the main downstairs hall and on the first floor. Art has been positively encouraged and the results stunning – so many very fine creations with brush and paint, crayons and oils.

Sections that displayed handicrafts, sewing and embroidery, pottery, flower making, wall hangings and so much more were the Occupational Therapy, Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Horticulture Therapy divisions. There are two hospitals - at Angoda and at Mulleriyawa, the latter being a halfway house for cured patients whose families don’t take them back or who have no families.

Four VSO (British Volunteer Service Organisation) persons are working in the two institutions, mostly training service givers. I spoke with one sari clad, happily smiling volunteer who said that conditions in the hospitals are improving. Mental disorders, she said, are mostly due to hereditary, stress, lack of family support, attendant stigma and poor drug intake, i.e. a patient who is advised to take drugs for six months, say, cuts short on medication.

A calendar with art work by persons connected with the institution was presented to the guests and prizes awarded too.

After the art exhibition was declared open, everyone present moved down to the main exhibition hall where a power point presentation was made of the National Institute of Mental Health which was also inaugurated this day.

The new action and reaction to mental health is not pity nor ostracizing, but giving all help possible for expression of emotions and thus moving onto a cure. What we could do is go see the exhibition and help in whatever way we can. There are volunteers who devote much time to help rehabilitate the mentally disturbed in Angoda. Chandra Wanasundera, for one, conducts art classes and one can be sure it was under his direction that the calendar was designed and the art exhibition posted so very remarkably.