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
200 MBBS seats / yr
5 MD postgraduate seats
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
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.
6 qualified professionals committed to clinical excellence.
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
11 postgraduate dissertations 8 ongoing
3 completed
| # | Project | PI | Funding | Focus | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Association of loneliness and social connectedness with geriatric depression in urban and rural areas: a cross-sectional study | Dr. Asmitha Saha (Postgraduate) | — | — | Completed |
| 02 | Burden among primary caregivers and its association with severity of disability in patients with schizophrenia: a cross-sectional study | Dr. Shobitha George (Postgraduate) | — | — | Completed |
| 03 | Association of metabolic syndrome in patients with depressive disorder - a cross-sectional study | Dr. Renasre (Postgraduate) | — | — | Completed |
| 04 | Sexual dysfunction in women with depression - a hospital-based cross-sectional study | Dr. Dilna Achuthan (Postgraduate) | — | — | Ongoing |
| 05 | Depression, anxiety and quality of life in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing haemodialysis | Dr. Abimanyu K (Postgraduate) | — | — | Ongoing |
| 06 | Assessment of preoperative and postoperative anxiety among patients undergoing elective orthopaedic surgeries - a cross-sectional study | Dr. Jayanth Kamath (Postgraduate) | — | — | Ongoing |
| 07 | Depression and fear associated with childbirth in primigravid women - a cross-sectional study | Dr. A. K. G. S. Rajayogapriya (Postgraduate) | — | — | Ongoing |
| 08 | Soft neurological signs in patients with schizophrenia - a cross-sectional comparative study | Dr. Arjun (Postgraduate) | — | — | Ongoing |
| 09 | Broad autism phenotype in parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and its association with social impairment - a cross-sectional comparative study | Dr. Sushmita Sougrakpam (Postgraduate) | — | — | Ongoing |
| 10 | Religiosity, coping and quality of life in patients with schizophrenia - a cross-sectional comparative study | Dr. K. Navin (Postgraduate) | — | — | Ongoing |
| 11 | Cognitive impairment in patients with schizophrenia and its relationship with demographic and clinical characteristics - a cross-sectional study | Dr. Shahil Aaryan (Postgraduate) | — | — | Ongoing |
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; 12(4):12-14
Bharathy S, Dinesh AJ, Venkatraman S
Executive Function Impairment as Neuropsychological Endophenotypes in Patients Attended with Suicide Attempt in a Tertiary Care Centre in Puducherry
International Journal of Scientific Research, 2023; 12(4):45-46
Likhil S, Dinesh AJ, Sankar K
A Cross Sectional Study of Magnitude of Depression Among Antenatal Women Attending Antenatal Clinic
International Journal of Scientific Research, 2023; 12(4):19-21
Nair RR, Dinesh AJ, Deepa S
A study of the magnitude of metabolic syndrome and its association with socio-demographic factors and severity of alcohol dependence in alcohol dependent men
Indian Journal of Basic and Applied Medical Research, 2022; 11(2):42-46
Basu P, Dinesh AJ, Venkatraman S, Sankar K
Internet Addiction among Undergraduate Medical Students in Puducherry: A Cross-Sectional Study
International Journal of Early Childhood Special Education, 2022; 14(6)
Sudha V, Dinesh AJ
A Cross Sectional Study on the Effects of Burn-Related Factors on Anxiety, Depression and Self-Esteem in Patients with Burn Injuries
International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research, 2023; 15(6):515-521
Angelo FM, Palaniappan H, William JAG
The Incubus Syndrome in Schizophrenia
International Journal of Advanced Research, 11(06):150-152
Angelo FM
Diabetes Insipidus Induced by Oral Olanzapine at Therapeutic Dose
Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, 2023 Jan; 45(1):94-5
Kumar MP, Ramamurthy P, Solomon S, Raj P
A rare co-occurrence of Cervical Dystonia and Pathological Laughter in an elderly female
Journal of Geriatric Mental Health, 2020; 7(2):113
Veeraraghavan V, Srinivasan K, Alexander J
Effect of Yoga Therapy on Neuromuscular Function and Reduction of Autism Severity in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Pilot Study
International Journal of Health Systems and Translational Medicine, 2021; 1:76-85
Artchoudane S, Ramanathan M, Bhavanani A, Muruganandam P, Jatiya L
Obesogenic behaviour and binge eating disorder in an elderly female with schizophrenia
Journal of Obesity & Metabolic Syndrome, 2021; 30(2):184-7
Veeraraghavan V
Alcohol use, mental disorder comorbidity and personality factors as a reason for anti-tubercular drug discontinuation in a tertiary health care centre in south India
Alkoholizm i Narkomania, 2021; 34(2):111-18
Veeraraghavan V, Srinivasan K
Work place impact on mental wellbeing of frontline doctors
Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences, 2020; 7(2):188-92
Veeraraghavan V, Srinivasan K
COVID-19 and Severe Mental Illness: Impact on patients and its relation with their awareness about COVID-19
Psychiatry Research, 2020; 291:113265
Muruganandam P, Neelamegam S, Menon V, Alexander J, Chaturvedi SK
Effect of buprenorphine dose on short term treatment adherence in opioid dependence
Asian Journal of Psychiatry, 2019; 44:58-60
Muruganandam P, Shukla L, Sharma P, Kandasamy A, Chand P, Murthy P
Attitude towards mental illness among doctors and nurses in a tertiary care centre, Pondicherry, India
International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 2017; 5:3059
Sujaritha V, Partheeban M, Thiviya T, Murali S
Hyposmia in geriatric depression can be a meningioma
Journal of Geriatric Mental Health, 2019; 6(2):104
Partheeban M, Mathivanan S
Does the mode of conception influence early postpartum depression? A prospective comparative study from south India
Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, 2020; 42(6):525-9
Muruganandam P, Shanmugam D, Ramachandran N
Prevalence of female alcohol dependence syndrome in Fisherman community, Nallavadu, Pondicherry
International Journal of Scientific Research, 7(5):36-39
Sujaritha D V, Ashwathi M
Unusual Sexual Deviations in a Young Man: A Case Report
2014; Volume 3, Issue 40:10057-10060
Dinesh AJ, Arun S, Alok Pandey S, Devaraja P
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
Helpline:Suicide Helpline (24/7)
Location:1st Floor, C Block, AVMCH Hospital