Change makers
Communities can play a big part in treating mental illnesses. This became the cornerstone of Parivartan Trust's work as well. “We are creating a treatment delivery model, so that you can get this service in your home and in society,” says Dr Hamid Dabholkar, founder of the NGO. His organisation trains counsellors at the community level—called 'Asha workers'. They visit individual homes and identify the different types of mental illnesses.
But after the treatment is completed, it is always a challenge for the mentally ill patients to get back in the flow of mainstream society. Often their families don't want to take the patient back home. Parivartan has built housing specifically for such patients and also trains them to take up some livelihood, so that they become self-sufficient and lead a dignified life.
Parivartan Trust now works in six different parts of the country—including Maharashtra, Assam, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand. If you want to know more about the work and donate to Parivartan Trust, click here.