Caregivers urge authorities to preserve the exclusive character of the Sector 31 Group Home for persons with mental illness Chandigarh: Families of persons with mental illness have raised concerns over the delayed operationalisation of Chandigarh’s first Group Home for persons with mental illness and alleged that its purpose is being diluted by a proposal to use a significant portion of the Sector 31 facility for senior citizens. Several parents and caregivers are now considering approaching the Punjab and Haryana high court for intervention.For 83-year-old Satish Kumar, whose son requires long-term support, the Group Home was expected to address a longstanding concern shared by many ageing parents: who will care for their children after their lifetime. However, he said uncertainty surrounding the project has replaced the hope the facility once offered.“We thought our worries were over after the security deposit was reduced. Now we are shocked again. The high court should intervene to stop diversion of the Group Home building,” Kumar said.Families also questioned the Chandigarh administration over the non-implementation of provisions of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017. They alleged that despite a central notification issued in April 2025, Chandigarh is yet to notify its rules or constitute the Chandigarh Mental Health Authority.According to caregivers, the delay has affected the registration, regulation and periodic audit of mental health establishments, including the Group Home.Parents further expressed concern over the absence of trained rehabilitation professionals, structured vocational programmes and psychosocial support systems at the facility.“Why would families send their wards to a group home that charges so much but has no trained staff or vocational activities?” asked caregiver Priti Kalia, emphasising that persons with mental illness can lead productive lives if provided appropriate training and support.Questions have also been raised over the admission process. Single parent Indubala criticised the requirement of a residential assessment at the Mental Health Institute and Half-way Home in Sector 32 before admission to the facility.“My son completed the difficult assessment but was still rejected,” she said, describing the process as unsuitable for individuals who require supported community living rather than institutional care.Families from economically weaker sections (EWS) also alleged discrimination, claiming that eligible applicants were shifted to the Senior Citizens Home in Sector 15 instead of being accommodated at the Sector 31 Group Home.“There are no professional staff or activities there. We only want our children to receive the same facilities as everyone else,” said Sumitra Devi, whose son is currently on a trial stay.Supporting the families’ concerns, psychiatrist Dr BK (Simmi) Waraich, a governing body member of the UTTHAAN Society for the Group Home, said the facility had the potential to become a national model if equipped with trained psychiatric social workers, occupational therapy services and vocational programmes.“Parents are anxious about who will care for their children after them. This home was created to answer that question. It should become a vibrant community, not just another building,” she said.The families have submitted a joint representation to the Chandigarh administration and plan to raise the issue with the UT administrator next week. The director, social welfare, could not be contacted for comments till the filing of the report.
