NIMHANS Heritage Museum takes you on mental health care history

Museum is housed within former 1962 Children's Pavilion of NIMHANS

Museum divided into 7 distinct zones, each representing institute's evolution

The NIMHANS Heritage Museum in Bengaluru takes on a fascinating journey through the annals of mental health treatment history, dating all the way back to 1848.

This institution, now known as NIMHANS, took its modern form in 1974 after merging with the All India Institute of Medical Health (AIIMH), established in 1954.

Housed within the former 1962 Children’s Pavilion of NIMHANS, the museum is thoughtfully divided into seven distinct zones, each representing a different era in the institute’s evolution.

Beyond chronicling NIMHANS’ growth, the Heritage Museum meticulously documents the ever-evolving landscape of mental health treatment.

It showcases a remarkable collection of equipment used across different time periods, offering visitors a glimpse into the evolution of psychiatric care.

Among its treasures are early artifacts used in patient care, including a 19th-century patent magneto-electric machine, used for electrotherapy treatments—a testament to the historical methods employed in the field of mental health care.

Visitors can also encounter a memory drum, a rotating device employed for recording responses during memory assessments.

Moreover, the museum proudly displays an early iteration of Boyle’s apparatus, a tool utilized for patient anesthesia, highlighting the advancements and innovations in the field of mental health care.

The NIMHANS Heritage Museum is not just a testament to the institute’s growth, but also a window into the fascinating journey of how mental health treatment has evolved over the years, shedding light on the efforts to improve the lives of individuals dealing with mental health issues.