Volume 11 Issues 12 December, 2021
The day is still fresh in my memory. The day I first met with Dr Sharada Menon. It was during the mid-1970s. It was mid-morning in Vellore. I had chosen psychiatry for my specialization and was undergoing training at the Mental Health Centre, in Bhagayam, Thorapadi, which was the location of the Department of Psychiatry at Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore. I was discussing a patient’s issues with my supervisor Dr Rose Chacko, the Professor and Head of the Department of Psychiatry at CMC, when after a gentle knock at the door, a very dignified and sober lady walked in. Dr Chacko very warmly greeted her and as I was getting ready to go out of the room, Dr Chacko introduced the guest to me. She was Dr Sharada Menon, the Superintendent of the Government Mental Hospital, Kilpack, Madras and a very good friend of Dr Chacko. Dr Menon gently advised me to stay back in the room and got into a conversation with me, to get to know me, my interest in psychiatry, my future plans etc.
“She was indeed one of a kind and a great mentor and role model to psychiatrists of all ages in India. Indian psychiatry, SCARF and the field of psychosocial rehabilitation will greatly miss her. May her soul Rest In Peace“
Ever since then, as I got to know Dr Menon and her work better and better, I became a great admirer of Dr Sharada Menon. I had the privilege of receiving her kind affection, friendship and patronage, all these years. Several years later, when she founded the India chapter of the World Association of Psychosocial Rehabilitation (WAPR), knowing my interest in the field and my close association with the Medico Pastoral Association in Bangalore, she kindly invited me to join her as a founding member, which I did most gratefully.
Dr Menon’s contributions to Indian psychiatry and the field of rehabilitation of persons with severe mental disorders is too well known for me to describe here. She was indeed one of a kind and a great mentor and role model to psychiatrists of all ages in India. Indian psychiatry, SCARF and the field of psychosocial rehabilitation will greatly miss her. May her soul Rest In Peace.
-Mohan Issac
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