EXPERIENCE FROM A COMMUNITY PSYCHIATRIC EDUCATION VENTURE IN THE NAVY

Naval Headquarters had directed the psychiatrists in the three commands of the Navy to conduct a series of lectures followed by question-answer sessions to the divisional officers and senior sailors. The purported reason was to reduce the incidence of various psychiatric illnesses, drug abuse, alcoholism and suicide among service personnel and their families. A power point presentation was prepared and six interactive sessions conducted with divisional officers and senior sailors. The logic followed in the preparation of the presentation is explained. The audience was requested to fill in a questionnaire to evaluate their demographic profile, their understanding and attitude to psychiatry and efficacy and their suggestions to improve upon the current presentation. Psychiatric awareness among the targeted population was low but receptivity to the presentation was enthusiastic. This effort is preliminary and further studies are called for in this important field of health education.