‘Ullasam’ in Telangana prisons for inmates’ mental wellbeing

'Ullasam' is aimed at reducing mental depression, psychological distress, negative thoughts, self-harming behaviour and suicidal tendencies by engaging the prison inmates in fun games, sports and recreational activities, an official release said.

Hyderabad: The Telangana Prisons Department on Monday, November 2, started ‘Ullasam’, a mental wellbeing initiative at the central prison in Chanchalguda and the Special Prison for Women here.

‘Ullasam’ is aimed at reducing mental depression, psychological distress, negative thoughts, self-harming behaviour and suicidal tendencies by engaging the prison inmates in fun games, sports and recreational activities, an official release said.

Conceptualised by Telangana Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services, Soumya Mishra, the first of such programmes was inaugurated at the Central Prison in Chanchalguda and the Special Prison for Women.

Flagging off the events, the DG Prisons encouraged the inmates to participate enthusiastically and emphasised that such activities will help to reduce their stress, improve their mental health and promote their emotional well-being.

She stated that these activities provide a healthy outlet for inmates’ energy, help reduce psychological distress and suicidal tendencies, and create a positive and supportive atmosphere within prisons.

Various indoor and outdoor recreational and sporting events are being organised for the inmates, the release said.

Bunch of games, activities for inmates

The events for male inmates included volleyball, tug of war, throw ball, badminton and tennikoit along with carrom, chess and other board games.

The events for female inmates included puzzle games, musical chairs, lemon and spoon race, balloon game, running race, badminton, chess, dodgeball, carrom, and other fun games.

Special care is being taken to ensure the participation of every inmate in the activities, with games and events selected according to their age, physical condition and individual abilities.

These activities provided an opportunity for inmates to enjoy constructive recreation, interact positively with one another and experience moments of joy and relaxation, the release said.

The “Ullasam” programme is next being planned at central prison Cherlapalli, and after that it will be conducted in all District Jails, where the inmates of the sub-jails concerned will also participate, the release added.