Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Belgaum started department of Psychiatry in March 1974. From 1996 the department also started functioning in the out patient department of new KLES Hospital & MRC. In-Patient services were started from 2005 in KLES Hospital & MRC. Psychiatry department started functioning in the newly designed free 30 bedded Psychiatry ward from February 2007.

The new free ward has got excellent facilities for patient care like isolation beds, separate male/female wards, two pediatric beds, modified E.C.T (Electro Convulsive Therapy) room along withRecovery rooms, Activity / Recreation Therapy room and Cubicles for Counseling and Psychotherapy. The ward also has teaching room and departmental library. Psychological testing is available for the assessments. Psychotherapy and Behavior therapy services for treatment purposes are available. An EEG monitored ECT machine and a separate 32 channels EEG machine are also available. With the availability of excellent infrastructure and full pledged faculty which includes Psychiatrists, Clinical Psychologists, Psychiatric Social Workers & Counselors the department is progressing with improved patient attendance, patient care & treatment and teaching programmes. The department also is involved actively in the community based needs & faculty members participate in various community activities connected with Mental Health.

The department runs Post Graduate course “M.D in Psychiatry” from 2007 & was the first department in North Karnataka to start Post Graduation in Psychiatry.

Department runs out patient and In-Patient departments. OPD services are available on all the days of week. 30 bedded In-Patient facility with special facilities for children, intensive care and acutely disturbed patients is licensed by State Mental Health Authority Karnataka. All patients are seen, assessed and treated as required which includes comprehensive consultation-Liaison Psychiatric Services.

The Department is actively involved in teaching and research activities. Training & Teaching of Undergraduate & Post-Graduate Medical students, Nursing students and Students from other disciplines in Psychiatry goes on throughout the year.

The department has well equipped E C T facility including anesthesia & EEG Monitoring equipments. It also has a 32 channel digital EEG facility. The Department has facilities for Psychological testing.

The Department has qualified Psychiatrists, Clinical Psychologists and Psychiatric Social Workers who provide various forms of treatments including Drug treatment, ECT treatment, Narco analysis, Counselling, Psychotherapy, Psychosocial Interventions & Rehabilitation services

Department runs two specialty clinics every week.

• Deaddiction Specialty Clinic – on Wednesday
• Geriatric Psychiatric Specialty Clinic – on Thursday

Department of Psychiatry received Best Department Award of J.N.Medical College, Belgaum. The award was given on 15th August 2008. Dr. (Prof) C.K. Kokate Vice Chancellor, KLE University gave the award in the presence of Principal Dr. V.D. Patil and other faculty members and students of the college. Dr. G.S. Bhogale & Dr. N.M. Patil received the award on behalf of the Department. The award was given for the rapid progress made by the department in the academic activities & the patient care services provided in a very short span of 3-4 years.