Change Makers

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Mental Health WMIF Update

News
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A monthly newsletter of the Whole Mind India Foundation ISSUE 1  JUNE  2011

“Public voice” of Mental Health in India

My warmest greetings and good wishes to all friends of the Whole Mind India Foundation!
The cause of the care and welfare of persons living with mental illness draws together a wide range of people.

Essential Mind Users, care-givers, parents, relatives, doctors, other health professionals, community workers, teachers and
educators, policy makers and administrators are all involved. In their different ways, each one of them can

Facts
By 2020, mental illness will be one of the
largest cause of disability worldwide!
One in every four Indians will suffer from
one or other mental Illness at some point in
life.
contribute towards developing a better understanding of the nature of mental illness and the rights and needs of
persons with mental illness. There is still, considerable stigma in the Indian society and this needs to change. I
hope WMIF’s Newsletter would focus on the better dissemination of information. I also hope that the readers of
this Newsletter will find themselves empowered to discuss issues related to mental illness in a more informed
way.
Through the columns in the Newsletter, I also hope that it would be possible for more information from the field to be made public. The life
stories of persons living with mental illness and of the families and friends that care for them would do a great deal towards reducing stigma.
There are many people who do not have a public voice. WMIF is for all of them and the Newsletter is their platform. The Newsletter must also
circulate to all public and private institutions where persons with mental illness are receiving treatment, and to community level activists and
workers.

At any given point of time, 1 in 10 Indians All those concerned with the welfare and improved health of persons living with mental illness will be aware that major amendments to the
Mental Health Act 1987 are being considered. Several of you have been part of this exercise. Participating in this process has been very
are likely to suffer from one or other mental
rewarding and we hope, through this Newsletter, to keep readers informed of the progress made.
illness, with millions of them needing regular
Message from Shri Keshav Desiraju, Addl. Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
psychiatric attention.

14 percent of the Global burden of disease

is caused by mental disorders.
Mental illness is one of 10 leading causes of
disabilities in Asia (WHO, 2004).
While mental illness is an equal opportunity
disease, those among poor, destitute and
homeless suffer most ―as high as 40 percent.
Mental illnesses are eminently treatable or
manageable with early intervention and
continuous care.
Mental illness, particularly depression and
bipolar disorder are leading causes of suicide -
15 Indians commit suicide every hour and at
least as many suicides go unreported because
attempt to suicide is an offence punishable by
imprisonment under Section 309 of the Indian
Penal Code.
From the Mind: A Schizophrenic’s Story of Courage, Survival and Normalcy
‘ Schizophrenia’! ― the word fell like a bombshell in
my already shattered universe. After almost two
months of fighting demons and slashing my wrists to
save the world from Osama Bin Laden, my
ex-husband’s family was convinced that I was a victim
of black magic and forcibly took me to a tantric who
pronounced that someone was trying to destroy them
through me. A story that took deep roots in my mind.
After a single visit to the doctor, I was left at my
mother ’s place.
For almost a week, my mother didn’ t understand what
was wrong with me. She only realized that I needed
medical help when one day I attacked her physically.
I never believed her, convinced that she was conspir-
ing to dump me in a mental asylum. Finally, a close
friend persuaded me to visit a doctor who pronounced
that I had schizophrenia.
The age of 30, I was left without a family, without a
career and without a stable mind. Execution of daily
activities had become a challenge. I couldn’ t perform
the simplest of tasks like eating chapattis, wearing
slippers. My mother taught me the art of concentra-
tion. Slowly, I managed to accomplish simple tasks.
Also, my urge to consume tobacco became uncontrol-
lable. This caused a major rift between me and my
mother. At this time, I felt the need to talk to my
friends and started calling everybody I knew resulting
in huge phone bills, which further infuriated my
mother.To get away, I took up a j o b o f R s . 2 , 5 0 0 a
month. I had to call up people and take appoint-
ments for sales visits. This gave me the confidence
that I could take up a better paying job in
Ahmedabad. The only skill I had was textile design-
i n g a n d a n a t u ra l f l a i r f o r w r i t i n g . To m y d i s m a y, I h a d
developed a severe creative block and could do neither of
them. It was then that I decided to join the corporate field.
Here too, I did not have any qualifications. Considering my
communication skills, I opted for a job in direct sales and took
up a space selling job with a Hindi newspaper in Gujarat. I
performed well and was appreciated for my hard work.
But, again life had some other plans. I had my first relapse. I
lost my job and my confidence. Severe insomnia, volatile
mood swings and lack of focus kept me on the edge. I would
start a job but within a month or two would go into a relapse
and be forced to quit. The result, I became a social recluse.
Ever since my first attack, I had been in touch with a school
friend w h o h a d b e e n insisting that I come to Kolkata.Her
husband was close to a psychologist. With their care and
counseling, I regained my bearings. Within two months, I left for
Gujarat as a totally new person. On the journey back, I made up
my mind that now, I will not miss my medicines and will practice
Reiki and meditation regularly. Since no one else could do anything
for me except give me support, I had to take the trouble of living
my life myself.In Ahmedabad, I took up a job with a BPO. In
February 2005, I moved to Delhi for a BPO job. During the first
month of my job I had a relapse, but I controlled it by consulting
my doctor and adjusting my medicines. It has been more than
seven years since my first attack. I now treat my problem as any
other chronic illness which requires regular supervision and
medicine. I am no longer ashamed of my psychiatric problem,
though I have to hide the fact in professional circles for fears of
unemployment. At the same time, I feel the desire to reach out to
other people and extend the emotional support of a person who
knows exactly where and how the shoe pinches.
Baljeet Ahluwalia | Delhi
….for the complete story, visit our website www.wholemindindia.org
ISSUE 1  JUNE  2011
Mental Health Agenda
Gets a Boost
Family Support Could
have Changed their
Story
Family, it is said is the greatest institution and an individual’s
most critical emotional support. But what happens, when this
crucial bond itself snaps and gets broken?
Two sisters, Anuradha Behl (41) and Sonali (38) remained locked
in the confines of their Noida house for six months ― forgotten
by all in the neighbourhood and a brother who lives in ATS
Greens in Noida ― barely eight kilometers away!
Undergoing extreme emotional withdrawal (after the death of
their father and after being abandoned by the only brother),
community members and immediate family failed to realise the
gravity of their isolation and pain.
Mental health advocacy is a pressing need in today’s times ―
one of the pillars to improve mental health care and human
rights of people with mental disorders. There is so much stigma
attached to mental health in society that people do not come out
to help those in need.
There is acute lack of awareness about the ways in which people
can be helped in a manner that can avoid their being cut off from
the mainstream. Indian families have little knowledge about
mental illness. They may either deny its presence or give it too
much credence. Either way, the correct handling of the situation
may elude them. Fact is that mental health need not be a
disabling condition. Instead of abandoning people suffering from
mental conditions, the family can rally around and offer
life-giving support. Just as the sufferer needs proper psychologi-
cal counselling and care, so does the caregiver.
Remember, people with mental illness are not defined by their
illness. They continue to have likes, dislikes, opinions, talents
and skills. They are mothers, brothers, friends and colleagues.
Their rights and individuality needs to be respected.
To read the complete story on the two sisters...
Mental Health in the News
India is finally on way to join the global movement to free persons with mental illness from stigma and discrimination
and to bring them under the protective umbrella of diagnosis, treatment, care and support. In a country where 8-10%
of the population suffers from some form of mental or behavioural disorder, the community itself needs to be educated
and galvanised. Notable efforts are being made by the Government and other stakeholders who are awarding pride of
place to mental health. Recent developments include
Task Force to Frame a Mental Health Policy for India
The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has constituted a Policy Group to frame a Mental Health Policy for India keeping
in mind internationally accepted guidelines and also the specific context of mental illness in India. The task force would
be headed by Shri Keshav Desiraju, Addl. Sec. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. Select members include Dr. Vikram
Gupta, SRTT; Dr. Vikram Patel, London School of Hygiene; Dr. Soumitra Pathare, Indian Law Society; Dr. Alok Sarin,
Sitaram Bhartia Hospital; Dr. Anirudh Kala, North Indian Psychiatry Centre; Dr. S.K. Deori, LGB Regional Institute of
Mental Health; Mr. Akhileshwar Sahay, WMIF; Dr. Sanjeev Jain, NIMHANS; Ms. Vandana Gopikumar, Banyan; Ms.
Nirmala Srinivasan, ACMI; and Dr, Thelma Narayan, SOCHARA.
BALM, TISS and UCL Sign MoU to Facilitate Cross-cultural Research
The Banyan Academy of Leadership and Management (BALM), Tata
Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) and the University College
London (UCL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on April 5.
The MoU seeks to facilitate cross-cultural and cross-national
research in the area of mental health focusing on homeless,
community and mental health hospitals. The three partners will
jointly evolve a post-graduate course in public health and social
work bringing together different perspectives, with TISS offering
the social work perspective and public health; UCL will look at
clinical interventions and BALM will provide the field experience
component.
National Consultation on Draft Mental Health Care ACT, March 2011:
It is for the first time that the word ‘CARE’ has been added to India’s Mental Health Care Bill ― rekindling new hope for
many sufferers and caregivers. The latest amendment to the Bill is expected to put strong checks on Electro Convulsive
Therapy, being used rampantly in India.
The Bill, piloted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, is expected to replace the Mental Health Act 1987, which
has been found lacking on many counts, including complaints of abuse of the law and of the rights of persons with mental
illness. The Ministry organised a National Consultation on the proposed Mental Health Care Bill at New Delhi on March 22
to seek the opinion of all stakeholders on the amendments to the said Bill.
India Readies Itself for the 2nd Mental Health Awareness Day
August 6 represents a defining moment in the history of mental illness in the country ― this August 6 will be the 10th
anniversary of the monumental tragedy of Erwadi. Like Israel’s holocaust, the reverberation of Erwadi should not be
allowed to die down. Rather, they must guide the future course of what should NOT happen in the area of mental health.
Last year, WMIF observed August 6 as India’s first National Mental Health Awareness Day with participation from
organisations across the country. This year, India will witness its second Mental Health Awareness Day.
Supreme Court Ruling On Suicide:
In a recent landmark Judgement, The Supreme Court of India recommended that
Attempt to Suicide must be Decriminalised.
March 7 was a day of historic verdicts by the Supreme Court of India. First, in the
judgment that quashed euthanasia plea for Aruna Shanbaug, it approved passive
euthanasia while in another significant observation the apex court said it was time to
decriminalise attempt to suicide.
The Court said that punishment under Indian Penal Code for suicide attempts should be deleted and asked the parliament
to look into it. Section 309 lays down that whoever tries to commit suicide shall be punished with a prison term extending up to a
year or a fine or both. The time has come when Section 309 should be deleted by Parliament as it has become anachronistic. The
Supreme Court observed that a person attempts suicide in depression, and hence needs help, rather than punishment.
The Supreme Court’s recommendation has given a renewed push to a 100-year war against de-stigmatisation.
In a country like India, where 15 suicides take place every hour and where one in three suicide victims is a youth (15-29 years), the
state or society cannot possibly overlook the big picture.
To read the complete ruling...click here
(Contd...)
ISSUE 1  JUNE  2011 Change Makers

‘Koshish ― Ek Prayas’
26 - year old Tarique Mohammed has made caring for the homeless mentally ill his life’s mission

At present, anti-beggary laws exist in 20
states and 2 Union Territories of India. More
or less, the features of these anti-beggary
laws are similar. Broadly, all are criminalizing
in nature, where people, irrespective of their
physical, economic and psychological
condition are arrested and punished for
begging. People who need State’s
assistance, who need to be protected, taken
care of and who need treatment are also
made to serve the sentence.
Under the Bombay Prevention of Begging
Act, 1959, applicable in Maharashtra and
Delhi, the term ‘beggar’ has been defined in
such a manner that any ‘homeless mentally
ill’ wandering on the street is legally
considered a ‘beggar’ ― leading to higher
vulnerability and greater possibilities of
abuse and exploitation.
At Koshish, we run the program ‘My Space’
within Certified Institutions where women
experience the joy of being themselves, being
free! We have a special barrack where women
come for a fixed period every day and engage
themselves in the activities of their choice.
Though a structured training and educational
program exists, but largely it depends on the
wish of the women. They do whatever they
wish for: sing, dance, run, play, sleep or
simply not do anything.
Here, we get to see the vulnerable side of
sufferers. It is also here that we have seen
their never ending will to fight and
tremendous power to build and value
relations. They might not have the support
of their families, but they have the potential
to be independent. With little support, they
can start anew. We are witness to their
capacities in doing that.
Absolute belief in the worth of every
individual is what makes us little different,
may be. Our aim is to protect the rights of
the people arrested under the BPBA 1959.
Our focus has been on empowering the
homeless by building their capacities
through various means. However, we have
stayed within the system to challenge the
system and that’s the beauty of our
intervention. Efforts have been put to make
government take up the responsibility and
collaborate in the entire process.
We have successfully ensured access to the
treatment as well rehabilitation support for
the people living in these Certified
Institutions. And the numbers that we have
reached out to is really high. Every fortnight,
patients are taken to the hospital from
institutions. Be it civil hospital, beggars home
or regional mental hospital, everywhere we
have found officers who gave their best and
ensured that best possible treatment was
made available.

Caring at the bottom of the Pyramid:A Story of Conviction

In 1993, two young girls, Vandana Gopikumar and Vaishnavi Jayakumar started Banyan,
an NGO to break through social barriers and community opposition and provide complete,
psychological wellbeing, supplemented with complete mental healthcare for mentally ill
destitute women. 17 years on, their passion for the cause has not abated. Mind Talk speaks
to Vandana Gopikumar:
At such a young age, how did you start on the journey of Banyan? How fulfilling
has this journey been at the personal level?

The start was meant to be. We had seen many women with mental health issues and couldn't
reconcile to the fact that they would be tucked away all their lives, without a chance to chase
their dreams, live their lives! It seemed only rationale to prove that it was possible to see
people with Mental Health issues reclaim their lives with hope, counseling, care and treatment.
That woman could have been us, alone and wanting for support. Our sense of responsibility
got the better of our pragmatism and it helped that we were young; friends and the whole
idea of making a difference seemed both exciting and adventurous.
The journey has been satisfying and disturbing. Satisfying because we listened to our heart
and did what our soul thought right; disturbing because the problem at hand was huge,
complex. On the one hand was the struggle with the problem, on the other the sheer effort
and task of setting up and running a large operation and shelter.
Over all these years, what has your experience of working at the grass root level
taught you in the context, content and magnitude of the problem?
All of us read of the magnitude and see it time and over, but have never actually done
enough to address the issue holistically in a concerted manner. Somehow, it seems to be
far lesser a priority than many other health domains. Only, now when one sees ill mental
health affecting related areas such as work productivity, the family's quality of life, poor
child health leading to heightened poverty, inequity and lesser productivity, we give a closer
look.
Content is the same, by the large. The problems are similar across the globe, only the
approach and work towards a healthy society are different.
The contexts are quite different in rural and urban areas owing to the lack of access to
care. The only way in which a person can access a Mental Health program is through the
District Mental Health Provider which is still non-existent in many parts of the country and
not effectively operational in many others. Urban areas have many more options to care
and treatment; both primary and tertiary.
Vaishnavi Jayakumar and Vandana Gopikumar
Where do you think the gap lies?
The gaps lie in the absence of a cohesive structure that addresses the issues of health and
related disease and social burden. Vertical structures will not help as they are not sustain-
able. The first point of contact, a Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) has to be equipped to
respond in multiple ways: with focus on health. The same space should also be able to offer
social support as well to the client/person in need. Most ailments include components of
disability and trauma and involve loss of time, finances and other resources: hence a
comprehensive program including many facets of care, not just medical, should be made
operational at the PHC. That way it is only one point that a person accesses that provides
multi-dimensional responses to a health problem. The staffing is clearly inadequate, both in
terms of lacking numbers and in terms of depth of knowledge, management skills and
leadership. This has to be an area of focus. Monitoring and evaluation has to be an active
and dynamic process that is ongoing and not relegated to a once in three year namesake
activity.
What has been the most rewarding experience for you or the team at Banyan
while working for the cause of ‘Mental Wellness’?
Many such experiences, but nothing like seeing a client work, run a home, refer another
client, go back home or live independently, meet children who thought they were dead after
years. I have deep friendships with many residents and this bond is something I will never
trade for anything.
What is your personal message for sufferers and caregivers?
Hope: there is hope always for those who have faith in themselves and others and persevere.
The world will be a better place; we will all learn to live together as one humane family soon.
ISSUE 1  JUNE  2011
Evolutionary Journey of a 100-Year War against stigma & discrimination
The Time for Mental
Wellness is Now !
Friends,
The Whole Mind India Foundation came into being on January 2,
2010 in cyberspace as a Facebook Group and you transformed it
into an institution. The very reason for the arrival of WMIF has
been the need of a pan-India aggregator of all the
non-governmental efforts in the field of mental health. The
avowed aim of WMIF is to bring all stakeholders of mental health
on one platform and to fast-track the movement of changing the
Life and Times of mentally ill in a comprehensive and coordinated
manner. In fifteen months of its existence, WMIF has made
modest but concrete progress in the area of advocacy. It exists as
brick and mortar institution, as a registered Trust with Mr. Harsh
Mander as its Chairperson and a credible governance structure.
‘Mind Talk’ is a PRAYAS, a KOSHISH - a small beginning to bring
the subject of Mental Illness to the national mainstream. Starting
in a humble way, its aim is to become the principal advocacy,
education and empowerment tool for everyone. Mental Illness is
an equal opportunity disease and it can strike anyone anywhere
under any circumstances, yet there are certain categories that
are more prone to the onset of the same. One category of that is
the story of homeless and destitute where the incidence of
mental illness is reported to be as high as 40-50 percent. High
incidence of mental illness and poverty at one end and growing
stress and strain of urban life in India is bringing challenges of its
own time. What the country needs is a fast growing rainbow
coalition.
Trust, the first issue of Mind Talk meets your expectations. We
await your feedback to make it more purposeful, meaningful and
of relevance to all. Let us come together and Change the very
way to Change - Life of Mentally Ill in India tomorrow will not be
same as yesterday. Being mentally ill is not a crime. Mental
illnesses are treatable, curable and manageable. Let us move
forward.
Akhileshwar Sahay, Principal Instigator
WMIF Update
WMIF ― the year that was…
January 2, 2010: WMIF is Born in Cyberspace
WMIF came into being on the social circuit with a group on Facebook. In just a
year of its existence the group succeeded in bringing on board as many as 2500
members, all connected to the cause of mental wellness in the country.
April 2, 2010: a Lamp is Lit
‘Gestalt of the Indian Mind’ was the carefully thought out theme for WMIF’s first
public interaction held at the India International Centre on April 2, 2010. It was
here that WMIF’s website www.wholemindindia.org was unveiled.
August 6, 2010: India’s First Mental Health Awareness Day Instituted
August 6 was the 10th year of the Erwadi tragedy, a painful and unfortunate day when 26 persons with mental illness
were burnt alive in a fire in the coastal hamlet of Erwadi, in the state of Tamil Nadu. They could not escape, since their
hands and feet were chained. This inhuman tragedy shook the world and became a permanent scar on India’s mental
health movement. At the same time, it brought together all those working with and impacted by mental health – to
resolve that such a tragedy never happens again. On this very day in 2010, WMIF instituted India’s First Mental Health
Awareness Day supported by all stakeholder institutions across the country.
August 6-13, 2010: Remind India, an Initiative and Festival of Inclusion
Candlelight vigil held at Rajghat and in multiple locations across the country, with the support of partner institutions
National Seminar: "Nurturing together ―New Compact for Total Mental Health” held in Delhi.
WMIF: In the News
1. Akhileshwar Sahay as citizen journalist CNN-IBN, September 21, 2010
2. Economic cost of Mental Illness - An open letter to the PM
3. Life lessons from one man’s fight with bipolar mint November 4, 2009
Please send your suggestions and feedback to the editor of Mindtalk on:
contactus@wholemindindia.org
You can also visit us at: www.wholemindindia.org
If you wish to donate for the cause, please send your contributions in
the name of “Whole Mind India Foundation” at the address mentioned
below through cheque or demand draft payable at New Delhi.
About WMIF
Whole Mind India Foundation (WMIF) is a rainbow coalition, dedicated to changing the lives and times of millions of
Indians suffering from mental illness. At the core of WMIF lies the central belief that we in India too can have a more
humane approach that does not stigmatize and traumatize those who are mentally ill, by incarcerating them in their own
homes, or consigning them to badly maintained and run asylums, prisons or on the streets. WMIF has already seen a
small pan-India Mental Health Movement which is poised to spread its wings and reach out to all kinds of groups and
individuals who are affected by mental health ― as sufferers and caregivers.
PLEASE CONTACT:
Whole Mind India Foundation - B-18, 252 Sant Nagar, East of Kailash, New Delhi - 110065 | Ph: 011- 46551836