The department of Psychiatry, GMCH-32, Chandigarh organised Mid Term CME of Indian Psychiatric Society –North Zone on 11th May 2014 at PHD Chamber, sector 31, Chandigarh. The theme for the Mid term CME was ‘Delivery of Mental Health Care Beyond General Hospitals’. Mental health beyond the General Hospitals is like “the road less travelled”. The theme signifies importance of treating the patients by keeping them connected to the family, friends and community, leading to better recovery and reduction of stigmatisation associated with mental illness. The CME included activities like workshop on strategies to reduce suicide in the community, symposium on rehabilitation in patients with drug abuse and; on rehabilitation in patients with severe and enduring mental illness; and discussion on community outreach programs. The eminent dignitaries with expertise in the fields of mental health enriched the program. Prof Yogesh Chawla, director PGIMER inaugurated the event and highlighted contribution of dept of Psychiatry in outreaching the patients in community by providing various services in periphery of Chandigarh namely, community clinics, residential facility for children with mental retardation , half way home and Samarth. Dr Brahmdeep Sindhu General Secretary, addressed the audience highlighting the activities of CME and upcoming events. He also notified that two MBBS students of GMCH 32 won 2nd prize in the national level quiz competition held at Pune. Dr Rajeev Aggarwal, President IPS NZ who highlighted the disability caused by mental illnesses is reported to be 11.6% which is double than that caused by cancer (5.3%) and higher than that of cardiovascular diseases (10.3%). Next Dr BS Chavan, HOD, dept of Psychiatry, GMCH 32, introduced the theme of the CME and advised the PG students to go beyond the textbooks and learn regarding the mental illness in Indian context. He also signified about the unmet needs of the 80% population suffering from mental illness who have never come in contact with any health professional and how outreaching them in community can make a difference. Dr Om Prakash Singh Kande from Punjab Medical Council, highlighted the policies of medical council, the statutory body responsible for registration and regulation of registered medical practitioners. He also signified importance of credit hours earned by participating in CME with a purpose of enhancing academic knowledge and upgradation of doctors. The inauguration ended with vote of thanks presented by Dr Priti Arun, organizing secretary of CME IPS NZ, acknowledging the efforts of organizing committee, print media and sponsors; and thanking eminent dignitaries for sparing their precious time to the event. The first presentation was made by Prof B S Chavan who emphasised meeting the mental health care needs of those residing in community but not able to have access to services. He talked about the consequences of untreated mental illnesses resulting into economic burden, increased suicide rate, violence, drug abuse, decreased life expectancy, impairing day to day functioning. He also highlighted that more than one third of homelessness is due to mental illnesses which are also the leading cause of 40% of school dropouts till class 8th. He explained that long standing mental illnesses can lead to total disability. The department had conducted a door to door survey at Kajheri finding out that 60% of patients suffering with mental illnesses are not having access to any mental health care. He proposed that one of the methods to reduce mental health care gap is by increasing manpower and outreach people in community. The department of psychiatry has taken few such initiatives in this direction to meet unmet mental health care needs by extending the services outside hospital setting. This includes community outreach clinics in 4 peripheral areas, social and vocational rehabilitation in halfway home and DART (Disability Assessment Rehabilitation and Triage); emergency mental health facility provided by crisis intervention team and home based team; resource persons visiting jails, juvenile justice home and nari niketan; providing technical support to NGOs like Parivartan and Prayatan, and 24 hours suicide prevention helpline. The department of psychiatry extends its services through other agencies like RIMH, mental health institute (MHI) and centre of excellence (COE). The department has been nodal agency for suicide prevention and carrying out research in this stream thereby aiming at creating awareness and reduction in suicide rates. The number of suicides in residents of city is as high as 40% of total 8 lakhs of population and 60% in population living in the peripheries of the city comprising 2 lakhs of population. A workshop focussing on Strategies to reduce Suicide in the Community was conducted with active participation of audience and detailed discussion. Symposium on rehabilitation in patients with Drug and Substance use.; and Rehabilitation in patients with Severe and Enduring Mental Illnesses (SMI) highlighted various strategies to deal with these conditions. The talk on ‘Rehabilitation of SMI patients outside Governmental Framework’ emphasized needs for vocational and rehabilitation services in community. Prof Savita Malhotra, HOD, department of Psychiatry, PGIMER enlightened about the usefulness and effectiveness of community outreach programs; and strategies to improve these programs. The CME was concluded with valedictory function. The entire program was very interactive and all the delegates and participants felt enriched with newly acquired bouts of knowledge.