Role of organizations Role of organizations of users of mental of users of mental

health serviceshealth services

D.M. NaiduD.M. Naidu

Basic Needs IndiaBasic Needs India

Role of organizations of Role of organizations of users of mental health users of mental health

servicesservices

“ “ I have not conceived my mission to be I have not conceived my mission to be that of errant wandering every where to that of errant wandering every where to delivery people from difficult situations. delivery people from difficult situations. My humble occupation has been to show My humble occupation has been to show people how they can solve their own people how they can solve their own difficulties”. difficulties”.

M. K. M. K. GandiGandi

Role of organizations of Role of organizations of users of mental health users of mental health

servicesservices

• People with People with mental illness mental illness generating generating collective collective energy at energy at

a field a field consultation. consultation.

Role of organizations of Role of organizations of users of mental health users of mental health

servicesservices

• When space and time provided in a When space and time provided in a group they come out with the group they come out with the individual needs. This happens as they individual needs. This happens as they find value in ‘listening and dialogue’.find value in ‘listening and dialogue’.

• In a group each individual just does In a group each individual just does not think about one’s own needs but not think about one’s own needs but also needs of other people too. This also needs of other people too. This brings solidarity in the group.brings solidarity in the group.

Role of organizations of Role of organizations of users of mental health users of mental health

servicesservices• Some women Some women

with mental with mental illness and illness and women women caregivers caregivers join women’s join women’s self help self help groups while groups while others DPOs. others DPOs.

Role of organizations of Role of organizations of users of mental health users of mental health

servicesservices• As a group their voice succeed in getting As a group their voice succeed in getting

healing options with in/near by communities. healing options with in/near by communities.

• After stabilization either they go back to the After stabilization either they go back to the previous work or learn new trades for economic previous work or learn new trades for economic independence. independence.

• Accessing government poverty alleviation Accessing government poverty alleviation schemes as a matter of right. schemes as a matter of right.

• The above brings self worth and human dignity.The above brings self worth and human dignity.

Role of organizations of Role of organizations of users of mental health users of mental health

servicesservices

• Contributing to the increased Contributing to the increased family income and relieving the family income and relieving the burden of caregiver.burden of caregiver.

Role of organizations of Role of organizations of users of mental health users of mental health

servicesservices• Participating in awareness Participating in awareness

programmes eg: developing script for programmes eg: developing script for street theaters and taking part in it, street theaters and taking part in it, wall writing, sharing their wall writing, sharing their experiences in public places. experiences in public places.

This results in change of attitudes in This results in change of attitudes in the communities. the communities.

Role of organizations of Role of organizations of users of mental health users of mental health

servicesservicesSocial Inclusion:Social Inclusion:

• Users group and caregivers Users group and caregivers associations play a vital role in social associations play a vital role in social inclusion such as further education, inclusion such as further education, participation in social and cultural participation in social and cultural activities of the communities, getting activities of the communities, getting married and leading family life.married and leading family life.

Role of organizations of Role of organizations of users of mental health users of mental health

servicesservices• This groups collaborate with other self help This groups collaborate with other self help

groups/federation of marginalised people groups/federation of marginalised people to lobby for their entitlements and rights.to lobby for their entitlements and rights.

• They form alliance at district and state They form alliance at district and state level. level.

• In India, a National Alliance of people with In India, a National Alliance of people with mental illness and their supporters is being mental illness and their supporters is being formed. formed.

Role of organizations of Role of organizations of users of mental health users of mental health

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• Group members supporting each Group members supporting each other, meeting individual needs and other, meeting individual needs and participating in the development of participating in the development of communities in which they live make communities in which they live make them feel empowered.them feel empowered. The very The very management of ‘lucid moments’ and management of ‘lucid moments’ and ‘symptomatic stage’‘symptomatic stage’ in itself is a in itself is a process of empowerment.process of empowerment.

• Appreciating and encouraging their Appreciating and encouraging their inclusion in development processes inclusion in development processes like CBR makes a huge difference.like CBR makes a huge difference.

Thank YouThank You