Programme 01150 / 150 ADMITTED
MBBS
Undergraduate · Clinical Posting
Seats permitted150
Foundational training in psychiatric history taking, mental status examination, and common psychiatric disorders.
Department of Psychiatry
The Department of Psychiatry at AVMCH provides comprehensive mental health services, specialized psychiatric care, and de-addiction programs, supported by advanced diagnostics like ECT, EEG, and Biofeedback.
The Department of Psychiatry at AVMCH provides comprehensive mental health services, specialized psychiatric care, and de-addiction programs, supported by advanced diagnostics like ECT, EEG, and Biofeedback.
Specialized Psychiatry Faculty
150 MBBS seats / yr
5 MD postgraduate seats
01MBBS
150
UG seats / year
02MD
05
PG seats permitted
03Bd
40
Inpatient Beds
04Rd
Raksha
De-addiction Ward
05Bk
80+
Patient Library
Department
A Center Of Excellence For Mental Healthcare.
Psychiatry at AVMCH combines specialized clinical services with rigorous academic training, community outreach, and dedicated rehabilitation programs.
The Department of Psychiatry at AVMCH is a center of excellence for mental healthcare and academic training. We offer a 40-bedded specialized facility equipped with ECT, EEG, and Biofeedback for comprehensive patient management. Our approach integrates pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments, including psychotherapy and yoga. We maintain an exclusive in-patient library and a dedicated de-addiction ward named 'Raksha' to support recovery and rehabilitation.
Our MD Psychiatry program (NMC recognized) offers an annual intake of 5 students. The curriculum emphasizes bedside teaching, clinical case presentations, and small group activities like journal clubs. Residents receive intensive training in clinical psychiatry, de-addiction, and psychotherapy, while participating in workshops on soft skills and communication. We also conduct mental health assessments for all first-year MBBS students as part of our well-being initiative.
We provide psychiatric services across the spectrum—from geriatric and child psychiatry to de-addiction and psychotic disorders. Our 'Best Care Giver' and 'Achiever' awards recognize the efforts of caregivers and the resilience of patients who maintain sobriety. We offer specialized afternoon clinics for Neuro-psychiatry, Child Guidance, and Memory issues, alongside a 24/7 suicide prevention tele-helpline.
The department is actively involved in community mental health programs, suicide prevention advocacy, and caregiver support initiatives across the region.
Clinical services, postgraduate training, and community outreach run in parallel, supported by specialized awards for patients and caregivers.
Research Focus
Research Focus · Substance Use, Schizophrenia & Caregiver Burden
Outreach
Outreach · Pondicherry Mental Health Foundation · Suicide Helpline
II / Academics
Comprehensive Training In Behavioral Sciences.
Academic Programmes
Programme 025 / 5 ADMITTED
MD Psychiatry
Postgraduate · 3-year specialty
Seats permitted5
Advanced clinical training in adult, child, geriatric, and forensic psychiatry, alongside psychotherapy and research.
Head of Department
Pioneering Mental Health Advocacy.
The department is led by Dr. A. John Dinesh, an expert in substance use disorders and a recognized leader in community psychiatry.
Dr. A. John Dinesh
Professor & Head · MD Psychiatry
Founder of the Pondicherry Mental Health Foundation and a pioneer in suicide prevention advocacy, Dr. John Dinesh integrates clinical excellence with deep community engagement and research on caregiver burden.
Is this department right for you?
Who should visit Psychiatry?
Mood & Anxiety
For depression, mania, panic attacks, phobias, and OCD.
Substance Use
Treatment for alcohol, nicotine, and other substance dependence at 'Raksha' ward.
Child & Development
Management of Autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, and conduct disorders.
Geriatric Concerns
For dementia, memory loss, and late-onset depression in the elderly.
Sleep & Behavioral
Eating disorders, sleep issues, and personality-related challenges.
Psychotic Disorders
Evidence-based care for Schizophrenia and delusional disorders.
Insurance & Schemes
CMCHIS – Chief Minister's Scheme
PM-JAY / Ayushman Bharat
ESI – Employees' State Insurance
CGHS – Central Govt. Scheme
Star Health / New India Assurance
ICICI Lombard & Major TPAs
AVMCH Institutional Welfare Scheme
What we treat
Conditions & diseases we treat
Depression & Mania
Anxiety & OCD
Schizophrenia
Childhood Disorders
Substance Dependence
Geriatric Psychiatry
OPD Quick Info
Working DaysMon - Sat
Morning OPD8:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Afternoon OPD2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Emergency24/7 Available
OPD PharmacyFree During OPD
Department Contact
Emergency
0413-2611245
Location
OPD Block, Ground Floor
Doctor consultation timings
Day
Unit
Consulting doctor
Timings
Monday
1Unit 1
Dr. A. John Dinesh
Professor & HOD
8:30 AM–4:30 PM
Tuesday
2Unit 2
Dr. V. Sujaritha
Professor
8:30 AM–4:30 PM
Wednesday
3Unit 3
Dr. Melody M A
Associate Professor
8:30 AM–4:30 PM
Thursday
4Unit 4
Dr. Felex Maree Angelo
Assistant Professor
8:30 AM–4:30 PM
Friday
5Unit 5
Dr. Mohan Prem Kumar
Assistant Professor
8:30 AM–4:30 PM
Saturday
RUnit R
Rotation
Unit Faculty
8:30 AM–1:00 PM
Sunday
Emergency Only
Helpline Team
24 Hours
Faculty
Dedicated psychiatric educators.
9 qualified professionals committed to clinical excellence.
S
Dr. V. Sujaritha
Professor
MBBS, MD
M
Dr. Melody M A
Associate Professor
MBBS, MD
F
Dr. D. Felex Maree Angelo
Assistant Professor
MBBS, MD
M
Dr. Mohan Prem Kumar
Assistant Professor
MBBS, MD
B
Dr. Bannu Priya Selvaraj
Senior Resident
MBBS, MD
J
Dr. Jayakumar.A
Senior Resident
MBBS, MD
FM
Dr. Felex Maree Angelo
Assistant Professor
As per department record
R
Rotation
Unit Faculty
As per department record
EO
Emergency Only
Helpline Team
As per department record
Research Thrust
Focusing On The Mind And Recovery.
Substance Use Disorders
Epidemiology, metabolic associations, and rehabilitation outcomes in alcohol and drug dependence.
Schizophrenia Spectrum
Neuropsychological endophenotypes, executive function impairment, and awareness in severe mental illness.
Community & Caregiver Care
Assessing and addressing caregiver burden in chronic psychiatric conditions and rural mental health.
Scientific Excellence
Work In Motion.
The department maintains a consistent research output focusing on clinical psychiatry, neuro-psychology, and community health.
Research Snapshot
6 PG Ongoing 4 Faculty Completed
Funded Research
| # | Project | PI | Funding | Focus | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Mood and Anxiety Disorders in rural populations | Dr. A. John Dinesh | Intramural | Mood Disorders | Ongoing |
| 02 | Caregiver burden in severe mental illness | Dr. V. Sujaritha | ICMR Funded | Community Psychiatry | Completed |
Scholarly Impact
Recent Research Publications
Social Anxiety And Depression In Patients With Acne Vulgaris: A Cross Sectional Comparative Study
International Journal of Scientific Research, 2023
Bharathy S, Dinesh AJ, Venkatraman S.
Executive Function Impairment As Neuropsychological Endophenotypes In Patients Attended With Suicide Attempt
International Journal of Scientific Research, 2023
Likhil S, Dinesh AJ, Sankar K.
Metabolic syndrome and its association with alcohol dependence in men
Indian Journal of Basic and Applied Medical Research, 2022
Basu P, Dinesh AJ, Venkatraman S, Sankar K.
COVID-19 and Severe Mental Illness: Impact on patients and awareness
Psychiatry Res, 2020
Muruganandam P, Neelamegam S, Menon V, Alexander J, Chaturvedi SK.
Patient Care
Specialized Mental Health Services
Neuro Psychiatry Clinic
Mondays (2:00 PM - 4:30 PM)
Family & Psycho Motor Clinic
Tuesdays (2:00 PM - 4:30 PM)
Geriatric Clinic
Wednesdays (2:00 PM - 4:30 PM)
Child Guidance Clinic
Thursdays (2:00 PM - 4:30 PM)
Memory Clinic
Fridays (2:00 PM - 4:30 PM)
Suicide Prevention
24/7 Tele-Helpline
Infrastructure
Healing Environments.
Raksha Ward
De-addiction
Dedicated de-addiction ward for structured detoxification and rehabilitation.
Diagnostic Suite
ECT/EEG
Fully equipped suite for Electroconvulsive Therapy and Electroencephalography.
Patient Library
80+ Books
Exclusive library with motivational resources for inpatients and caregivers.
Philosophy
Psychiatry · AVMCH
“Compassionate care, ethical practice, and academic excellence in mental health — integrating pharmacological and psychological therapies.
Department of Psychiatry, AVMCH & Hospital
Excellence
Organised. Recognised.
Best Care Giver Award
Department Faculty
Recognition for exemplary family support initiatives.
Achiever Award
Patients
For maintaining one-year sobriety from substance use.
Young Scientist Award
Dr. Melody M A
International Postgraduate Colloquium, Malaysia.
Community
Conferences, Awareness & Awareness Weeks.
10
SEP 2024
World Suicide Prevention Day
National awareness program
Dr. A. John Dinesh
09
OCT 2024
World Mental Health Day
Academic guest lectures
Department of Psychiatry
26
JUN 2024
Day Against Drug Abuse
Awareness workshop
Department of Psychiatry
Get in Touch
24/7 Mental Health Support.
For psychiatric emergencies, patient referrals, or academic visits — please reach out to our department office.
Head of Department:Dr. A. John Dinesh
Email:psychiatry@avmc.edu.in
Phone:Suicide Helpline (24/7)
Location:1st Floor, C Block, AVMCH Hospital
Testimonials
Student & Alumni Voices
"The clinical exposure and mentorship I received in this department shaped my entire career. The faculty goes above and beyond to ensure we grasp both the theoretical and practical aspects of patient care."
D
Dr. Ananya Sharma
Alumni · Class of 2021
"State-of-the-art facilities and a rigorous academic environment make this department stand out. I am extremely grateful for the hands-on research opportunities that were available from day one."
R
Rahul Menon
Student · Current Final Year
"A truly remarkable department with a strong emphasis on competency-based learning. The regular CMEs, specialty clinics, and dedicated teaching sessions have provided me with a strong foundation."
D
Dr. Priya Desai
Alumni · Class of 2019