Training

Antara is actively involved in training of new mental health professionals and social workers including:

• Psychiatric Nurse Training: - Each year 20-30 nurses, largely from local communities are trained. Many find jobs in other NGOs or hospitals, and some stay on at Antara. Sometimes recovered patients from Antara go on to nurse training. Antara is working to make this a nationally recognised qualification.
• Masters in Psychiatric Social Work - This programme is run in conjunction with Jadavpur University of Kolkata.

Research

Antara has a library for use of staff and patients. Opportunities for research are limited by resources and time, but a number of staff have researched key areas in mental health locally, including:

• Gender issues in mental health
• The prevalence of mental health problems in surrounding communities.

In addition Antara hosts conferences on specific issues and is part of a wider network of NGOs which share knowledge and experience.