(Taken from Psychiatry, Science, Religion and Health, MSM
Annual 2004.)
We are not here to do (only a little better) what the others
do.We are here to do what the others cannot do because they do
not have the idea that it can be done.
- The Mother, Sept. 1961.
Mens Sana Monographs (MSM) tend to look at events and issues
from a somewhat different perspective. There are two main types
of publications. Both serve important needs and have a committed
readership. One type tends to be academic and technical to the
extent of being incomprehensible to anyone except one intimately
connected with the subject. These are the mainstream academic
research publications of the respective disciplines. One the
other hand are periodicals that cater to the interests of the
moment, which are racy, sensational and as easily forgotten as
eagerly read. (Not that they lay claims to any eternality.)
These are the newspapers, magazines, tabloids and other
periodicals which fulfil our need to be aware of the
multiplicity of the environment in which we exist. Both these
approaches, though important, however leave a gap. The academic
can be too austere for comfort, the tabloid too familiar for
deeper reflection; the former too bland, the latter too spicy.
An approach that provides food for thought and reflection
without being too technical and elitist is therefore likely to
bridge the divide between them. In other words, neither bland
nor spicy: nutritious but without foregoing taste. MSM has been
an attempt in that direction. This middle path is the first
fundamental pillar of this publication.
Comprehensivity and Evidence |
The second is comprehensivity. The six diverse topics covered
is this MSM Annual 2004 bear testimony to the fact that MSM
intends to live upto its vision of providing 'in-depth
understanding of psychiatric/ psychological/philosophical
consequences of social disorders/ issues and current events,
written in an easy to read format, avoiding technical jargonas
far as possible, but based on evidence and research studies'.
For example the first three monographs deal with psychiatric
issues/ disorders or current events. They are (1) Psychiatric
consequences of the WTC collapse and the Gulf war; (2) Towards a
suicide free society: Identify suicide prevention as public
health policy; and (3) What shall we do about our concern with
the most recent in psychiatric research? The fourth monograph
deals with an issue in the philosophy of science (Replicative
Nature of Indian Research, Essence of Scientific Temper, and
Future of Scientific Progress). The fifth monograph deals with
an attempt by Gandhi to resolve the social disorder and strife
that diverse religious beliefs can occasion in a multireligious
society like India (Gandhi on Religion, Faith and Conversion:
Secular Blueprint Relevant Today). The sixth and final monograph
deals with health not just as an individual or medical concern,
but as a social issue, wherein health of the members of society
can only be ensured by the people's awareness of their rights,
and active participation in a health conscious community's
movement towards better health (The Goal: Health for All; The
Commitment: All for Health). Hence the title of this collection:
Psychiatry, Science, Religion and Health.
The six topics covered are different in content and, if we
may dare to say, comprehensive in their scope. MSM intends to
provide a wide platform for serious discussion by thinkers in
diverse fields like 'psychiatrists, social scientists,
philosophers, sociologists and other thinkers interested in
exploring social issues with scientific rigour'. Hence the
topics covered tend to be different and comprehensive too. But
evidence and scientific rigour in studying even social issues is
another essential pillar of the MSM. Therefore mere
impressionistic portrayals and opinions not backed by necessary
evidence may hardly find a place in these monographs.
If the middle path, comprehensivity and evidence are the
three pillars of MSM, the fourth is eclecticism. The MSM is not
committed to any ideology or approach to the exclusion of the
rest, nor does it have any private agenda to fulfil. Its only
commitment is to further understanding and awareness of issues
of consequence to society with special emphasis on social
issues, psychological awareness and health, especially mental
health. Its approach shall always remain an integrated one, a
conglomerate of all evidence-based approaches that best clarify
matters and motivate individuals and groups towards action aimed
at reduction of social morbidity and psychopathology.We only
hope the vision, and momentum generated in the present, can be
maintained in the years to come. And you too feel part of this
whole movement, and share its enthusiasm to make a difference
where it matters. But if that is something to feel proud of, let
us also note that to start something different is difficult but
not very, but to sustain it, is. And its how these four pillars
sustain the MSM in the years to come that will test the strength
and resilience of MSM, as of the four concepts themselves. We
hope here too you feel part of this whole endeavour.
This MSM Annual 2004 is dedicated to the memory of a well
respected name in the field of psychiatry, the late Prof. L. P.
Shah. His contribution to the making of a number of
psychiatrists (including one of us), to the development of
Indian Psychiatry, and to the linkage of Indian Psychiatry with
World Psychiatry have been, to say the least, substantial. His
staunch belief in Psychiatry as a medical discipline was matched
by the equally strong belief that Psychiatry could not do away
with psychotherapy and deeper understanding of the psyche of an
individual. And that Psychiatry also had an important role to
play as a social science. Moreover, his whole life was a great
testimony to the triumph of the spirit over matter. All those
whose lives were touched by this gentle soul can only feel
ennobled by the deep impressions that his magnanimous
personality left on them. His commitments and beliefs were well
matched by his life long companion and life partner, the gentle
and most gracious Ms. Hema Shah, herself a contributor of no
small magnitude to the Mental Health Movement in India. We carry
a homage to this important pillar of Indian Psychiatry written
by her. We do deeply appreciate her gesture in writing this
dedication and thank her for rising above her personal grief and
loss to communicate her thoughts and feelings about this noble
soul. The Mens Sana Monographs wish to offer deepest condolences
to her on this irreparable loss and hope and pray his soul rests
in eternal peace (and prashanti , as he was always prone to
point out). We hope and pray that his zest for life and work in
the field of Psychiatry, and his fine qualities of head and
heart, continue to guide scores of psychiatrists of today, and
the future, to respond to the challenges of change in their
branch with freshness and spontaneity, but without being
overwhelmed by any.
Psychiatrists as
Psychopharmacologists |
It's exiting times in which we live. So much is changing all
around, and yet so much needs to remain, and does remain, firmly
rooted. Changes sweep the dust of indolence and laxity, besides
of course sweeping off the desirable too at times. The decisive
paradigm shift towards psychopharmacology and biological
approaches to behaviour has alarmed a number of senior
practitioners and senior researchers in Psychiatry. That
Psychiatrists are turning more psychopharmacologists and lesser
psychotherapists is the reality of today. But that is no real
cause for alarm. Because as long as they produce results and
back up their opinions with evidence, they indeed need to
prosper. The apprehension, of course, is that legitimate growth
of psychotherapy may get sidelined, or the brighter minds may be
averse to taking up psychotherapy because it is no longer the
in-thing to do. But such a flux state is inevitable in the
advancement of any branch. Ultimately, the psychotherapeutic
approach itself will benefit by shedding its smug somnolence,
become more evidence and experiment based, offer verifiable
population statistics to back up its contentions, and compete
with biological approaches with greater methodological rigour.
This manthan, or flux, is inevitable, and indeed welcome, if we
wish to chart new and exciting frontiers in the field of
Psychiatry in particular, and all social sciences in general.
The discomfort of today is only a prelude to the comfort of
tomorrow. Hopefully. For the seeds of comfort lie in every
discomfort, as the seeds of discomfort lie in every comfort.
We are indeed fortunate to live in such exciting times. The
Mens Sana Monographs will attempt to unfold some of the dramatic
changes as they occur during this period.
Hope you are with us all the way.
The Editors
Mens Sana Monographs
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