The Stalwart
http://doi.org/10.18231/j.tjp.2019.035
M. Sarada Menon
Siva Anoop Yella
Postgraduate, Dept. of Psychiatry, Institute of Mental Health, Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
*Corresponding Author: Siva Anoop Yella
Email: anoop180@gmail.com
Abstract
Dr. M. Sarada Menon is the first woman psychiatrist in India internationally reputed Psychiatrist, and passionate about rehabilitation who held the post of Superintendent of the Institute of Mental Health, Chennai for over 18 years. She was the founder of SCARF (Schizophrenia Research Foundation). She was largely instrumental in getting the annual grant from the State Government and the land to construct the day care center. Dr. Sarada Menon stepped down from the post of Director in 1995, making way for Dr. Thara, the present Vice Chairman. She received many awards for her many outstanding works in the field of mental health. Padma Bhushan was awarded to Dr. Sarada Menon by the President of India in the year 1992.
Keywords: Sarada Menon, First woman psychiatrist, SCARF. Introduction
(1961–1978), several special clinics were started. Child Guidance Clinic started functioning under Dr. O. Somasundaram who got training in child psychiatry at the UK. Other special clinics which were started were neuropsychiatric clinic, geriatric clinic, epilepsy clinic, adolescent clinic, and neurosis clinic.3 During the initial period of Dr. M. Sarada Menon’s tenure, there were around 14 medical officers apart from the superintendent, deputy superintendent, and resident medical officer. Only 3 of them were trained but others out of their experience were able to manage. Office administrative works were done by the Secretary and his officials. Psychologists, nursing staff, social workers, statistician, pharmacists, recreation therapist, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, and teacher for children, medical record official, garden supervisor, photographer, dietician, kitchen staff, male attendants, female attendants and other staff members were also recruited. In 1961 the strength of the hospital rose to 2800 as against the sanctioned 1800.3 It was during her tenure, the institution started the department of psychiatry, opened an out – patient facility and established regional psychiatric centers at all the district hospitals in the state. Advancement in professional sphere was noticed after she took up the job of superintendent of the institute. She was responsible for beginning of the Medical Library. Many students of psychology, sociology and social worker received postings at the institute.3
Industrial therapy center in IMH
In 1970, under the supervision of Dr. M. Sarada Menon “Industrial Therapy Centre” was established after obtaining government permission with the help of philanthropists, and, Dr. M. Peter Fernandez was made as medical officer in charge. This was a non – profitable and therapy – oriented center. Its primary focus was on psychosocial rehabilitation. Eventually, the center was developed and has a soft toys manufacturing unit, wire bag unit, incense sticks unit, paper cover making unit, chalk piece making unit, soap preparing section, a flour mill for grinding the essential day to day of the kitchen of IMH, and a candle making section. There is
Mambalikalathil Sarada Menon is a first Indian woman
Psychiatrist, social worker and the founder of
(SCARF), which is a
rehabilitation of people affected with Schizophrenia and other mental disorders. She is a former Madras Medical Service officer and the recipient of the third highest civilian honor in India, the Padma Bhushan, in 1992, for her
working for the
contributions to society.1
Research Foundation non -governmental
Schizophrenia Chennai based
About her personal life
Medical career
organization
Sarada Menon was born in a Malayali family on 5 April 1923 as the youngest of eight children of her parents in Mangalore, Karnataka. Her father was a judge and when he was transferred to Chennai, young Sarada moved with him for her early schooling at Good Shepherd School and later at Christ Church Anglo – Indian Higher Secondary School after which she graduated from Women’s Christian College.2
She graduated in medicine from Madras Medical College in 1951. She did her residency at Irwin Hospital, New Delhi (which is now Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital) before joining Madras Medical Service in 1951 to start her career at Pittapuram Mission Hospital, Andhra Pradesh. She simultaneously studied for the post – graduate degree of MD which she obtained in 1957. Subsequently, she successfully completed the Diploma in Psychiatric Medicine, at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), thus becoming the first woman psychiatrist in India.2
Her role in the field of Psychiatry
As superintendent of IMH, Kilpauk (1961 – 1978)
Menon joined the Institute of Mental Health (then known as Government Mental Hospital) in Kilpauk in 1959 and superannuated from the institution in 1978. She became its first woman Superintendent in 1961. During her period
Telangana Journal of Psychiatry, July-December 2019:5(2):164-166 164

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M. Sarada Menon
also a bakery unit that caters to the daily requirement of bread for the Mental Hospital, which also supplies biscuits, cakes, and other confectionaries to the hospital canteen.3
Founder of SCARF
Table 1: Awards received by Dr. Sarada Menon2 Awards received
Padma Bhushan Award from Govt. of India Avvaiyar Award from Govt. of Tamilnadu
State Best Doctor Award from Govt. of Tamilnadu Government of India Best Employer Award
Rotary Club
Conclusion
The contributions of Dr. Sarada Menon to the field of psychiatry are enormous. She laid foundation for the development of SCARF and also a recipient of many awards. Her contribution to IMH, Kilpauk during her tenure as a superintendent and her responsibility towards mental care is indeed worth noting. She is one of the psychiatrists in India who has set an example as a role model for young psychiatrists of this generation.
Acknowledgments
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
Nil.
Sources of funding
Nil.
References

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