Dr. R. Sathianathan, Former Director, Institute of Mental Health (IMH) & Professor and Head, Madras Medical College & Government General Hospital., Chennai is an eminent Psychiatrist in Tamil Nadu. Dr. Sathianathan obtained his Bachelor of Medicine, Diploma & Masters in Psychiatry from the reputed Madras University and his Master's in Public Health from University of North California, United States of America. As a blooming psychiatrist Sathianathan has provided his professional consultancy to various renowned National and International. At various times he has been a researcher, clinician, trainer, teacher and a social worker. He is a visionary who advocates development in the area of Mental Health in the Country.

Dr. Sathianathan joined the Tamilnadu Medical Service during 1979 and has thirty years of clinical, research, teaching and training experience. He is well known for his rural medical services, where he has pioneered in establishing Mental Health Centers in rural taluk areas where the poor and illiterate could access mental health services. He is the first person to organize Mental Health Services in the Taluk Headquarters Hospital at Krishnagiri. He also pioneered Rural Mental Health Camps in Bargur, Dharmapuri and Hosur in the early 80's.

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After taking over as the Director in 2007, Dr. Sathianathan has distinguished and brilliant career & had contributed significantly to the Institute of Mental Health as a result of which it was designated as an Institute of Excellence by the Ministry of Health, Government of India. This status was made possible with the outpatient department serving the largest number of outpatients i.e. around 500 per day. Moreover the Institute is the second largest in the country in inpatient strength serving about 1800. It is the only State Hospital (fully funded by Tamilnadu Government) where 95% of patients get free treatment both as inpatient and outpatient. With these enormous and professional services rendered to the community, the Institute of Mental Health has been recognized as one of the Seven Best Psychiatry Hospitals in the Country (The WEEK, Nov 16, 2008).

With the Capacity as the Director, he has taken several initiatives and affirmative actions in developing programs and procedures for staff & academic development of the Institute as also other nodal health departments / institutions. He has also been contributing significantly in panels, workshops, at the local, state, national and international level on issues related to Mental Health.

• Received "Lifetime Achievement Award" from Indian Medical Association, Chennai Kodambakkam Branch on 26th November 2017.
• Awarded as an "ASPIRING RESEARCH AMBASSADOR" of Sri Ramachandra University in appreciation of promising research potential as demonstrated by quality research publications and initiatives in generating research grants during the INDO-US Workshop on "Research Capacity Building – Phase II" on 27 February 2017.
• Invited as an Expert in Psychiatry by the International Society for Medical Education, Research, and Guidelines (ISMERG) for the ISMERG Educational Interactive Workshop MIND-2016 held at Dubai from 11th – 14th February 2016.
• Appointed as the Chairman for the Awards Committee, Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS) for the year 2015-2016.
• Appointed as the Chairperson, Geriatric Psychiatry Specialty Section of Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS) for the year 2014-2015.
• Attended the Council Meeting & Received the Award on Behalf of India during the 29th International Conference of Alzheimer's Disease International held between 1 – 4 May 2014 at San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA.

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