Connecting to cope up with mental illnesses

While the world has been quick to respond to growing threats to the human body, little has been done especially in India, in response to the afflictions that may plague the human mind.

This is the motto of Manav Foundation, an NGO, which works to alleviate problems of adult psychological health and mental illnesses.

The foundation believes that there is need to awaken and inspire changes in the perception and attitude of people across the country towards those suffering from mental illnesses. Manav Foundation believes that empowering individuals suffering with mental illnesses alone is not enough. “Community sensitisation and awareness on the issue of mental illness is imperative in order to end the discrimination that mentally-sick individuals face in society,” said Tina Sequeira, social worker with the organisation.  She added, “Hence we are launching an awareness campaign during the World Mental Health Week which is on till October 10.”

The campaign has three phases. First, there was a photo exhibition by Laila Vaziralli, titled ‘I want to be’ drawing attention to the dreams of mentally ill individuals, the photographs of which will be displayed in the NCPA this week.

Second, they will have a screening of short one-minute awareness films featuring individuals who are currently recovering from mental illnesses along with Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia and Ustad Zakir Hussain. They plan to air this film on various television channels during the World Mental Health Week. Further, they plan to use mediums like television and radio to familiarise the masses with mental illness.

The organisation’s founding trustee Suresh Gandhi’s philosophy is to reach out to those in need of help. Another trustee Meena Mutha has nurtured a daughter with a mental illness and her search for a quality resettlement service motivated her to establish a rehabilitation centre for the mentally ill.

They are having such an awareness campaign for the first time. “We have an annual event called ‘Flow, the stream of energies’ which is a platform for individuals who are suffering from mental illnesses and emotional distress to express their artistic potential,” said Sequeira.

Apart from the Manav Foundation, beneficiaries of other day-care centres and support groups for the mentally-ill in Mumbai come together to showcase their unique capacity to perform and participate in social events. “One issue that needs urgent attention according to us is a shift in attitudes of the common man,” informed Sequeira. She added, “There are few rehabilitation facilities due to lack of awareness. This results in ignorance about the issue and complete neglect of the problems faced by the mentally-ill. We hope such campaigns help bring about an attitudinal shift within society.”

According to the foundation, the objective of the exhibition is to help people understand that those who are suffering from mental illnesses must be given a second chance after rehabilitation.

The World Mental Health Week is on this week and the World Mental Health Day will be celebrated on October10.