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Mental Health

Mental health is the most neglected area in developing countries. In India, an estimated 40 million people (approximately 4% of the total Indian population) suffer from various types of mental disorders, ranging from schizophrenia and depression to autism and cerebral palsy. The number of trained mental health professionals is abysmally low, compounded by a lack of appropriate rehabilitation facilities. The mental health initiative of the Trust attempts to address some issues arising from this situation.


'Impact of Early
Intervention - A study of
Parental Perspectives'
Click here to download
Inclusion of the mentally handicapped into the mainstream is an espoused goal of the World Declaration on Education for All and refers to creating opportunities for them to participate in the mainstream of life to whatever extent possible and with all the variety available to ‘normal’ persons with varied interests and abilities. It also includes ‘integrating’ persons with different abilities/disabilities into the education establishment. As a direct outcome, the recommendations presuppose an orientation towards the minimization of stigma. While there is recognition on the need for the same, there is limited understanding on practice. The Trust strives to address this gap through the initiative, Inclusion in Practice which has the following components to start with: (a) demonstration projects that are well thought out, planned, logical and contextually relevant efforts; and (b) empowerment of care givers of mentally disabled children through resources of knowledge, networking and innovation. Focus is on vocational education, organisation sustainability, documentation and dissemination. The first such effort is a grant to Rajasthan Mahila Kalyan Mandal (RMKM), towards inclusion of mentally challenged children in Ajmer district, Rajasthan. (Click here to read more). The Trust has also supported Latika Roy Memorial Foundation in Dehradun for an early intervention centre. The LRMF has organised a Distinguished Lecture Series in Dehradun for developing a greater understanding and knowledge about inclusion of mentally disabled into educational institutions. (Click here to read more). In November 2006, the Trust operationalised its second phase of support to LRMF towards enabling inclusion of children with mental disability through an early intervention center, outreach campaign and training programme. Over a three year period, the programme aims to work on: (i) continuation and expansion of the Early Intervention Center (EIC); (ii) expanding inclusion program to Latika Vihar; (iii) parental counseling and support; (iv) outreach to medical professionals; (v) community outreach; and (vi) awareness generation, etc.

Through these grants, the Trust hopes to create practical experience in implementing inclusion in the country.

To address mental health needs, the Trust’s work is structured at different levels.

Community based mental health care: The Trust is supporting Association for Health and Welfare in the Nilgiris (ASHWINI) towards an integrated community based mental health programme focused at indigenous people of the Gudalur valley in the Nilgiris, which creates awareness about mental illness, helps the community take responsibility of the mentally ill, ensures early detection and maintains continuity of care and support in rehabilitation.


'What is “madness”?'
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view a presentation
Homeless and the mentally ill: The Trust supports the Banyan to rehabilitate destitute mentally ill women after appropriate treatment at its facility in Chennai (Click here to view a presentation showcasing the Banyan story). It has now established a linkage with the local police which allows the police helpline number to also serve as a mental health helpline. (Click here to read) Linkage with the local Institute of Mental Health now enables the mentally ill destitute to access care and support for rehabilitation. The organisation also conducts a district level programme on mental health at Kanchipuram District, with support from the Government of Tamil Nadu. The Banyan is intensifying its work with other regions of the country and is a key partner of the Trust in this initiative. (Click here to read a Case Study) (Click here to read an article published in the Hindu) (Click here to download a Manual on Transit Care)

Paripurnata and Ashadeep are other grantees of the Trust in this initiative. Paripurnata runs a halfway home in Kolkata to treat, shelter and rehabilitate mentally ill women. The Trust has, at the outset, supported a review of its functioning; post which, full fledged support may be considered. The services being offered by Ashadeep include: (i) a Day Care Centre for the Mentally Disabled in Guwahati, Assam, with outreach centres at Khetri and Morigaon; (ii) a Half Way Home for the Mentally Ill in Guwahati; (iii) a Care and Rehabilitation Centre for homeless mentally ill women in Guwahati; and (iv) a Day Care Centre for the elderly. The Trust is currently supporting Ashadeep, over a three year period, for: (a) expansion of residential interventions with the homeless mentally ill women, in which, the existing care and rehab centre would continue to function as a transit care unit and a new rehabilitation centre would be set up; (b) outdoor services and outreach programmes, which have been proposed to provide easier access to psychiatric care and rehabilitation interventions for marginalised population, which include persons with mental disorders who are homeless; and (c) expansion to other parts of Assam and North East through partnering with the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi (LGB) Institute of Mental Health, Tezpur, under the World Health Organisation (WHO) Biennium programme for 2006-07, for developing a model for mental health care and treatment of Homeless Mentally ill. In November 2006, the Trust initiated support to Karuna Trust, Bangalore for a three year project to provide: (a) mental health care for the homeless mentally ill through the establishment of a transit care centre, a mental health help line and upgradation of Beggars Home in Mysore; and (b) mental health services to rural populations through the community mental health programme. The Trust has also supported the Richmond Fellowship Society (India), Bangalore, towards developing a community mental health care model in 70 villages in Siddlaghatta block of Kolar district, Karnataka, focusing on monthly clinics, day care centres, formation of self-help and carer groups, increasing community awareness about health and providing learning opportunities for the patients and their families. (Click here to read more)

The Trust is exploring the different kinds of initiatives taken by parent/family support groups in the context of mental health, specifically situations of mental illness and mental disability. It would help the Trust focus their support efforts if you could share with us information about your group/initiative program. To help provide a focus for the information requested, kindly respond to this questionnaire. (Click here to download questionnaire)