psychological counselling, mental health services, Mentally ill women

The Holistic Health Centre

Year 2005 began under the shadow of the devastating December tsunami. Working closely with the Bhoomika Trust at the tsunami-hit coastal fishing village of Kovalakuppam, The Banyan had a first-hand idea of the needs of the community as part of its long-term rehabilitation process. As there were no health care facilities in the coastal blocks of the Kancheepuram District, the community expressed a need for a health centre to facilitate long-term rehabilitation. The situation inspired The Banyan to open a Holistic Health Centre in Kovalam, which would cater to the general health needs of the community with integrated mental health services accessible to all. The Health Centre would also provide facilities for The Banyan's long-term residents in the Banyan Village, which will be located in the vicinity.

A temporary health clinic currently functions at the Trinity Acute Care Hospital in Kovalam, close to the actual building site. The clinic runs three times a week and has been very popular, with around 200 outpatients frequenting the clinic. The construction for the Holistic Health Centre is expected to finish later this year.

The community mental health care practice aims to act as a holistic model for community health care and show that mental health facilities can be accessible at the grassroot level.

Mental Health Camps

While the building is being constructed for the Holistic Health Centre, The Banyan has begun conducting monthly Mental Health Screening Camps in the area in order to sensitise the community to the need of mental health care and to provide care and treatment to persons with mental illness. The camps are conducted by social workers from The Banyan together with volunteering community level workers who help identify the need for mental health care in the community. There are currently nearly 40 regular outpatients to the camps.

Through the rural outreach programme, The Banyan aims to provide localised access to mental health care and ensure that mental illness is detected as early as possible and treated at the family level to prevent homelessness due to mental illness.

Awareness Programmes

The Banyan raises awareness in the community through its active school awareness workshops, mental health awareness campaigns, and the Urban Community Clinic. The camps and awareness workshops feature performances from The Banyan's dynamic Street Theatre group, which consists of several residents of The Banyan, offering a lively channel for raising awareness on mental health through drama.'