Medical studies say that helping with mental health when you're young can make life better later on. Around the world, someone dies by suicide every 40 seconds.
Young peoples are important for spreading knowledge and changing how we think about mental health. That's why we want to teach mental health stuff to young people in schools.
We'll talk about things like autism, OCD, feeling sad or anxious, how we see ourselves, suicide, online bullying, drugs and alcohol, eating problems, and being addicted to the internet.
“I’m glad, I’m a GLAD Indian.”
We'll work to spot kids and teenagers who might be dealing with both small and big mental problems that could make them turn to drugs or develop harmful habits. Trained teachers, mentors, and other students at their schools will help find them. We'll also provide Psychological First Aid and Remedial Education at school level.
We'll thoroughly assess the talents and interests of children, aiming to enhance both their academic skills and their involvement in extracurricular and cocurricular activities. We'll treat human experiences as valuable resources, akin to a library or encyclopaedia, to offer guidance and motivation. Our main focus is identifying behavioural disorders or illnesses within a framework that considers biological, psychological, and social factors.
Our program will pinpoint the unique skills and aptitudes of each child and then create local opportunities for them to engage in healthy activities that bring them joy and stimulate their dopamine levels. We'll collaborate with local government projects and social workers, along with volunteers such as psychologists, postgraduate students, trained nurses, and senior students.
Expert guidance from clinical psychologists and psychiatrists will ensure that children receive proper psychiatric medical treatment. We'll also have treatment coordinators and volunteers, including students studying social work, sociology, politics, and management, to ensure compliance with treatment plans.
In addition to academic and therapeutic interventions, we'll organize training programs in traditional offline games like football, badminton, and chess. We'll host periodic tournaments to foster a sense of community and healthy competition. Furthermore, we'll involve students in activities such as palliative care, geriatric care, and other humanitarian services of their choosing, promoting a sense of fulfillment and purpose in their lives.
Behavioural therapy, connection with nature, relaxation exercises, and mindfulness training will also be integral parts of our program, aimed at promoting overall wellbeing and resilience among participants.
We're addressing the critical issue of maternal suicide, focusing on preventing suicides among pregnant and expectant mothers. We recognize the challenges that young couples face, including conflicts and instances of deliberate self-harm. Moreover, we're concerned about defective parenting, which can impact even very young children.
Our approach involves equipping young women with essential life skills and providing psychotherapy to promote positive mental health. We're also emphasizing the importance of parenting skills to ensure a nurturing environment for children. To address the complex psychosocial dynamics within families, we're implementing interventions led by psychiatrists, psychologists, and psychological counsellors.
Furthermore, we're establishing a counselling network to provide support to women and children's hospitals, ensuring that pregnant women and new mothers receive the mental health support they need during this critical time in their lives.
We're providing comprehensive support for the elderly and disabled through various initiatives. We start by training caregivers from self-help groups, ensuring they have the necessary skills and knowledge to provide quality care. Additionally, we're enhancing day care centers by providing human resources to support the elderly and disabled individuals who utilize these facilities.
Recognizing the importance of living environments, we're spearheading initiatives to create geriatric and disabled-friendly community living spaces and housing options. These initiatives aim to ensure that elders and individuals with disabilities can live comfortably and independently within their communities.
Moreover, we're addressing the healthcare needs of the elderly by providing low-cost medicines to destitute individuals and residents of old age homes. This helps alleviate the financial burden associated with healthcare expenses.
Furthermore, we prioritize mental health care for the elderly by offering scientific treatments through professional support. This ensures that elders experiencing various mental health issues receive appropriate and effective interventions to improve their well-being and quality of life.
1. Pre-Marital & Marital Guidance Program: This program offers guidance and support to individuals and couples before and during marriage. It covers topics such as communication skills, conflict resolution, understanding roles and responsibilities within marriage, financial management, and building a strong foundation for a healthy and fulfilling marital relationship. The program aims to equip participants with the tools and insights necessary to foster a successful and enduring marriage.
2. Life Skills: Life skills programs focus on equipping individuals with the practical skills and knowledge needed to navigate daily challenges and make informed decisions. These skills may include effective communication, problem-solving, decision-making, stress management, time management, interpersonal skills, and emotional intelligence. By enhancing these skills, participants can lead more empowered and fulfilling lives.
3. Reproductive Health: Reproductive health programs provide education and support related to sexual and reproductive health, including topics such as puberty, contraception, family planning, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), pregnancy, childbirth, and postnatal care. These programs aim to promote informed decision-making, healthy behaviours, and access to essential healthcare services to ensure the well-being of individuals and families.
4. Parenting: Parenting programs offer guidance and resources to support parents in their roles as caregivers and educators. They cover various aspects of parenting, including child development, positive discipline techniques, effective communication with children, fostering a nurturing and supportive environment, managing challenges and conflicts, and promoting the overall well-being of children. These programs aim to empower parents with the knowledge and skills needed to raise happy, healthy, and resilient children.
Overall, these programs play a crucial role in promoting personal growth, healthy relationships, and family well-being by providing individuals and couples with the tools and support they need to thrive in various aspects of life.
1. Support for Patients with Catastrophic Chronic Conditions: This involves providing guidance and assistance to patients facing severe and long-term health challenges. The focus is on facilitating access to low-cost yet effective interventions that can help manage their condition and improve their quality of life. This may include connecting patients with relevant healthcare resources,treatment options, support groups, and financial assistance programs.
2. Trained Bystander Support: This initiative involves training individuals who may be present at the scene of a medical emergency to provide immediate assistance and support until professional medical help arrives. Bystander support training may include basic first aid techniques, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and strategies for effectively managing emergency situations.
3. Neuro Physiotherapy and Occupational Rehabilitation: For patients with neurological conditions or injuries, such as strokes or spinal cord injuries, neuro physiotherapy and occupational rehabilitation programs aim to improve mobility, function, and independence. These programs typically involve personalized exercise routines, mobility training, and activities to enhance motor skills and cognitive function.
4. Palliative Home Care Facilitation: This involves collaborating with organizations like Thanal to provide palliative care services to patients with advanced illnesses who wish to receive care at home. Palliative home care focuses on relieving symptoms, managing pain, and providing emotional and psychosocial support to patients and their families during the end-of-life phase.
5. Dialysis Support: Patients with kidney failure require regular dialysis treatments to remove waste products and excess fluid from their blood. Dialysis support initiatives aim to ensure that patients have access to affordable dialysis services, transportation assistance to and from treatment centres, and ongoing monitoring and support to manage their condition effectively.
6. Generic Medicine Support: Access to affordable medication is crucial for patients with chronic conditions. Generic medicine support initiatives focus on facilitating access to low-cost generic medications, ensuring that patients can afford the medications they need to manage their health condition effectively.
Overall, these action points represent a comprehensive approach to supporting patients with catastrophic chronic conditions, addressing various aspects of their care needs, from medical interventions to emotional and practical support.
Many existing hotline and helpline services tend to manage acute crisis, but do not ensure that individual receives follow up and/or long-term care. Each caller to the MINDS helpline will receive a follow up call within 72 hours of their initial call and also at 1 month and 6-month timepoints. Additionally, if a caller is referred to a hospital, teletherapist, or partner NGO, we will ensure with the referral location that there was adequate follow up by the individual. The important factor to keep in mind, is that even if the individual does not follow up with advised referral, we are part of the individual’s recovery and healing. Research has shown that even one phone call conversation provides significant impact in one’s mental health.
The guidance and support offered through this initiative encompass several key components:
1. Medical Treatment Guidance: Trained professionals work closely with individuals and their families to navigate the complex landscape of medical treatment options available for chronic mental illnesses and addictions. This includes providing information about different types of treatments, such as medication, psychotherapy, and rehabilitation programs, and helping individuals make informed decisions about their care.
2. Support Services: Alongside medical treatment, individuals receive ongoing support to address their specific needs and challenges. This may involve counselling, therapy sessions, support groups, and case management services to ensure continuity of care and holistic support for recovery.
3. Networking with Tertiary Inpatient Mental Health Hospitals: By establishing partnerships with tertiary inpatient mental health hospitals, individuals gain access to specialized treatment facilities and expertise. These hospitals offer comprehensive psychiatric services, including evaluation, diagnosis, medication management, and therapeutic interventions, within a structured and supportive environment.
4. Coordination of Care: The initiative focuses on facilitating seamless coordination of care between different healthcare providers and treatment facilities involved in the individual's care journey. This ensures that individuals receive integrated and personalized treatment plans tailored to their unique needs and circumstances.
5. Education and Advocacy: In addition to direct support, the initiative promotes education and advocacy efforts to raise awareness about chronic mental illnesses and addictions, reduce stigma, and promote access to quality mental healthcare services. This may include community outreach programs, educational workshops, and advocacy campaigns aimed at fostering understanding and support for individuals living with mental health conditions.
Overall, this initiative plays a crucial role in providing individuals with the guidance, support, and resources they need to effectively manage chronic mental illnesses and addictions, improve their quality of life, and work towards recovery and wellness.
Tele-counselling support for emergencies and suicide prevention involves providing immediate assistance, guidance, and emotional support to individuals who are experiencing crises or contemplating suicide, using remote communication channels such as telephone or online platforms.
This service is crucial for reaching individuals who may be in distress and unable to access traditional in-person counselling services. By offering counselling support remotely, individuals can receive help promptly, regardless of their location or mobility limitations.
During emergencies, such as mental health crises or suicidal thoughts, individuals may feel overwhelmed, isolated, or unable to cope with their emotions. Tele-counselling provides a lifeline for these individuals, offering a safe and confidential space to express their feelings, thoughts, and concerns.
Trained counsellors or mental health professionals are available to listen empathetically, assess the situation, and provide immediate support and guidance. They may offer coping strategies, crisis intervention techniques, and referrals to appropriate resources or services, such as emergency hotlines, mental health facilities, or community support organizations.
In the context of suicide prevention, tele-counselling plays a vital role in providing early intervention and support to individuals who may be at risk of self-harm or suicide. Counsellors work collaboratively with callers to assess their level of risk, explore their reasons for wanting to end their lives, and develop safety plans to prevent harm.
Teacher mentor training in selected aided/unaided schools involves providing specialized guidance and support to teachers in those schools. The training helps experienced teachers become mentors who can offer advice, encouragement, and assistance to their students/colleagues. This helps improve teaching quality and supports the professional development of all teachers involved.
Early Intervention Centres and Special Schools receive professional support from psychiatrists and psychologists to help children with special needs or developmental challenges.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating mental health disorders. They assess children's mental health and provide medical interventions such as medication management when necessary. They also collaborate with other professionals to develop comprehensive treatment plans tailored to each child's needs.
Psychologists, on the other hand, focus on understanding behaviour and mental processes. They conduct assessments to identify strengths and challenges in children's cognitive, emotional, and social development. Psychologists also provide therapeutic interventions, such as counseling or behavioral therapy, to help children overcome difficulties and reach their full potential.
Together, psychiatrists and psychologists offer a range of services to Early Intervention Centres and Special Schools, including diagnostic evaluations, individualized treatment planning, therapy sessions, and ongoing monitoring and support. Their expertise contributes to the holistic care and development of children with special needs, helping them thrive in their educational and social environments.
The Institute for Community Mental Health is dedicated to promoting mental health and well-being within communities. It focuses on providing a range of mental health services, resources, and support to individuals, families, and communities.
The Institute offers short-term diploma courses and training programs in collaboration with esteemed institutions and universities, focusing on Mental Health Nursing, Social Work, Rehabilitation, and related fields. These programs provide specialized training to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to support mental health initiatives effectively.
Additionally, the Institute conducts research studies in collaboration with government departments to assess the prevalence and impact of mental health issues within communities. By gathering data and analysing trends, the Institute contributes valuable insights to inform policies and strategies aimed at addressing mental health challenges.
Furthermore, the Institute engages in policy advocacy efforts to promote mental health care within Local Self Government Departments (LSGD), government agencies, and other non-governmental organizations (NGOs). By advocating for increased awareness, resources, and support for mental health initiatives, the Institute strives to create positive change and improve access to mental health services for all individuals.
1. A Popular Publication in Mental Health: This entails creating a publication platform dedicated to mental health topics that is accessible and engaging to the general public. This publication may take the form of a magazine, newsletter, blog, or social media platform, providing informative and accessible content on mental health issues, coping strategies, personal stories, and treatment options. By reaching a broad audience, the publication helps raise awareness, reduce stigma, and promote mental health literacy within the community.
2. Publication of Studies in Journals: In addition to reaching the public, it's essential to contribute to the academic discourse surrounding mental health by publishing research studies in reputable scientific journals. This involves conducting rigorous research, analysing data, and presenting findings in a scholarly format that adheres to established research standards. By disseminating research findings through peer-reviewed journals, the Institute contributes to the advancement of knowledge in the field of mental health, informs evidence-based practices, and fosters collaboration and exchange among researchers, practitioners, and policymakers.
Halfway homes provide transitional housing and support services for individuals who are transitioning from institutionalized settings, such as rehabilitation centres or correctional facilities, back into the community. These homes offer a structured environment where residents can rebuild their lives, develop independent living skills, and reintegrate into society.
Support for women facing domestic violence involves providing comprehensive assistance and resources to women who are experiencing or have experienced domestic abuse. This support may include emergency shelter, counselling, legal advocacy, safety planning, and access to community resources to help women escape abusive situations, heal from trauma, and rebuild their lives free from violence.
Patients recovering from addictions receive specialized support and services to help them maintain sobriety and rebuild their lives after completing addiction treatment programs. This support may include ongoing counselling, therapy, peer support groups, life skills training, employment assistance, and access to community resources to help individuals overcome barriers to recovery and achieve long-term success in sobriety.