300 Mental Health Patients treated by Manasgram since 2020
Since its inception in 2020, our Manasgram project has successfully treated and rehabilitated over 300 mental health patients, who have ended up on the streets of Ahmednagar from places all over India and as far away as Nepal and Bangladesh.
Our current facilities can accommodate up to 35 patients and the Sneh Manoyatri Center, currently under construction in Isalk, will provide accommodation and treatment for up to 250 patients.
We are grateful to Snehadhara Foundation for hosting a musical fundraiser, ‘Seven Colors of Dreams’ to help generate funds for this center and our broader mental health initiatives. Featuring renowned singer Chandrashekhar Mahamuni with guests including Kalyani Deshpande we enjoyed a melodious evening of evergreen Hindi songs focused on social awareness.
In his address, guest and MLA, Sangram Jagtap, noted that a translation of the World Health Organization’s guidelines on mental health, published by Manasgram three years ago, is providing guidance for diagnosing mental illnesses and offering primary treatment options in areas where psychiatric specialists are lacking. As a result, trained nurses and healthcare workers, as well as researchers in this field, have been provided with state-level training, positioning Maharashtra as a leader in mental health.
Also present, former MLA, Narendra Patil, congratulated Manasgram on recognising and honouring doctors, social workers and institutions working in mental health with annual awards which motivate other organizations. He emphasised the need for more focused mental health awareness for rural laborers, farmers, women and the youth.
The event also honoured Shivanjali Helping Hand, a Pune-Pimpri Chinchwad-based organisation led by Sagar Misal and working through Snehalaya. Shivanjali has provided substantial aid to ten different social organizations. A donation was also made to Samarpan which works in women's and child development in Amravati district, to help construct a home for girls.
The evening concluded with the distribution of awards for elocution, essay and poster competitions related to mental health awareness. The competition, organised by Manasgram, was open to students from local schools and colleges.
Mental health support
Opening the event, Dr Neeraj Karandikar, psychiatrist and Director of Manasgram, shared our commitment to expanding our mental health services this year. Manasgram was initiated in Isalk with support from Drs Smita and Bharat Watvani of the Shraddha Rehabilitation Foundation. Current and planned mental health support available includes:
Dr Jayant Karandikar Smruti Manobal De-addiction Center offers free counselling and guidance on mental health as well as Rational emotive behaviour therapy (REBT), cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and mindfulness practices.
Ahmednagar Institute of Psychological Health (AIPH)
Mental health self-support groups
Healthy Village involves regular awareness dialogues organised by clinical psychologist, Deepti Karandikar and her team in Ahmednagar with Snehadhara committing to support it for the next decade.
Initiatives such as these demonstrate the commitment to mental health in India and exemplifies how community efforts and projects like Manasgram are paving the way for a more inclusive and supportive environment for those struggling with their mental health.
If you would like to support abandoned mental health patients, please call Manasgram: 9011011006.
Comments