Pudukottai’s mental health programme is proving to be a boon during the pandemic Updated: Updated: Share Article AAA Over 8,500 people have benefited from the District Mental Health Programme in Pudukottai since last year. The programme also has a helpline, through which COVID-19 patients, their contacts and even healthcare workers dial in for counselling. At the time of inception in March 2020, counselling was undertaken for stress management, and training was imparted to nurses, and other medical and non-medical staff at Primary Health Centres (PHCs). Thursdays were identified as ‘Mental Health Thursdays’ across Pudukottai for conduct of awareness programmes through all PHCs and government hospitals.