When we have discussions about mental health issues more often than not we leave out the experience and the mental state of the underprivileged citizens in our country. The middle class in our country faces so much stress, and deals with so many mental health issues one can only imagine the plight of the poor and the homeless in our country. The even sadder part of the story is that these groups of people usually can't access treatment for their mental health and even struggle with the treatment of their physical health. To shine a light into the dark cave of despair, an organisation named The Banyan is a unique initiative that makes mental health services accessible to the poor and homeless in our country.
The banyan was started in 1993 by Vandana Gopikumar and Vaishnavi Jayakumar, to rescue homeless mentally ill women in Chennai. Today the banyan is an organisation with a vision extending across India for a better mental health and well being of the nation, they have been recognized by WHO and the Government of India too.
The founders were quick to realize that one Banyan could scarce solve the problems of India’s homeless mentally ill, who numbered 1.94 million as per the 2001 census. Working on raising awareness about mental health particularly in the next generation, in 2007, they launched the Banyan Academy for Leadership in Mental Health (BALM), with the support of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, offering masters courses and a PhD programme in mental health related subjects to train a generation of mental health professionals who were sensitized to the needs of the homeless mentally ill.
Innovative services for the homeless and mentally ill were added soon to the program. Addressing the lack of access to mental health services, free outpatient services; both in the rural and urban areas were established. A model urban outpatient service now runs in partnership with the corporation of Chennai and a rural outreach service runs in the Kancheepuram District rural hinterland. More such health centers are coming up in Kerala and Maharashtra where The Banyan has a presence.
At Banyan, the patient comes first; no decisions are made without the patient’s consent. At the outpatient services provided, the entire gamut of family, neighbors, friends, The Banyan team of social workers, counsellors, clinical psychologists and psychiatrist form a support group for the patient and family. Treatment decisions are made by consensus and with the patient’s consent as far as possible except when the patient is a danger to his/her life or to others.
Advocacy for the rights of the mentally ill has been spearheaded by The Banyan. Thanks to The Banyan’s efforts mental disability has been included in the Disability Act and those with mental disability are eligible for benefits due to the disabled. The Banyan ensures that they have Aadhaar cards and bank accounts.
The latest challenge taken up by The Banyan is the provision of emergency mental healthcare services to help the homeless mentally ill who wander our streets. Working again on the ‘Triple S' model, with the support of the National Health Mission and the state government and civil society ECRCs (Emergency Care and Recovery Centers) are coming up in every district of Tamil Nadu. Local youngsters trained in mental healthcare, handle acutely disturbed patients as well as patients with chronic mental illness out on the streets. In a very hands-on manner, The Banyan is creating awareness about mental health among the youth and providing training and employment to many rural young women and men. All services are provided free of cost to the patients.
Working seamlessly with law enforcement agencies, the police, local hospitals and local government and the judiciary, these trained rescue workers bring the mentally ill to the Emergency Care and Recovery Centre; and then the long process of treatment and rehabilitation begins.
Comments