Partners

Abhilasha Trust, based in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, was founded by Dr Anoop Shramik to address the issues of violence and discrimination towards people from marginalised communities. He is a Dalit human rights activist based in Varanasi. As a Dalit scholar, he has encountered significant challenges due to his background and activism. His struggles led him to start Abhilasha Trust which is a rights-based, community-led, and community-based organisation that aims to bring societal change in the attitude towards minorities and other marginalised groups and to promote constitutional values. Know more >

Aneka Trust, based in Bangalore, works with gender and sexual minorities, sex workers and persons living with HIV (PLHIV) and gender non-confirming children to promote their inclusion and rights, thereby ensuring fullness of life, sense of belongingness and well-being. They build safe environments for members of the LGBTQIA+ community and engage in participatory advocacy, bringing visibility to their issues and working towards legal and social change. Know more >

Anjali works with the Dept of Health and Family Welfare, Govt of West Bengal, with various panchayats and municipalities in the state, and with media and civil society. Through its rights-based programs and policy initiatives, Anjali works towards three long-term objectives: establishing mental health within the mainstream health and development discourse in India; enabling progressive shifts in dignity and quality in the lives of people with psycho-social disabilities so that they are perceived as "full citizens" within institutions, families, and communities; fostering training and networks that encourage new talent, perspectives and leaders to emerge in the mental health sector. Know more >

Founder Deepa Pawar’s own struggles from a young age against extreme poverty, gender violence, and caste oppression, led her to work in areas such as sexual and reproductive health, safety, and education, with gender equity as the driving force. She met like-minded women, and together they set up Anubhuti with the goal of developing grassroot youth leaders like themselves. Anubhuti works closely with youth and women living in resource-deprived urban and rural communities in Mumbai and Thane districts. Given that these groups face mental distress due to multiple marginalisations, mental health interventions form a major part of Anubhuti’s work. Know more >

Ashiyana (translated as 'a beautiful home') was launched in 2013 to create safe, transformative environments within Child Care Institutions (CCIs). The organisation focuses on children in conflict with the law from marginalised communities aged 12 to 14. Through interventions such as mental health services, restorative circles, and art-based activities, Ashiyana creates safe spaces inside CCIs to support rehabilitation and positive behaviour change. They continue to support the children even after leaving the institution by providing them with guidance, mental health support, job readiness skills, vocational/educational programs and job placement to aid their successful reintegration into society post-institution. They train CCI staff and NGOs in rehabilitative practices. Know more >

Basic Needs India works to bridge the gap between the government and communities by strengthening community mental health services. BNI’s model is to work through existing, grassroots, community-based organizations and build their capacity to identify and address the needs of those living with mental illnesses, as well as build community support for those with psychosocial disabilities. MHI funds BNI’s work spanning five districts across Odisha and Maharashtra — with a focus on strengthening community-based integrative care of persons with mental Illness and their families. Through the program identified persons living with a mental illness will have access to Government-provided Mental Health Care and will be reintegrated with their families and community. BNI will also work to enhance community awareness and strengthen community support systems, through training programs for partner organizations, mental health volunteers, alternate service providers and public health para-professionals. The organization will offer psychoeducation to families, as well as promote family support groups to demand for government services and entitlements from available schemes. BNI will also link with disability and health movements at the local and State level, sensitize media, police and judiciary on destigmatization. Know more >

BDS Samabhabona (established in 2012) is a Kolkata-based trans-activists-led organization that uses a feminist, intersectional and rights-based approach to address the oppression faced by trans communities. Samabhabona provides direct support to trans persons, in terms of livelihood support, peer support as well as physical and mental health support. They facilitate access to health care, sensitize stakeholders to the needs of the community and also engage in policy advocacy. Within queer and trans communities, Samabhabona works particularly with elderly and disabled persons and those marginalized by caste and class, Dalit and daily wage earners. MHI is partnering with BDS Samabhabona to support a drop-in centre/ community space in Kolkata, which will facilitate mental health support and crisis intervention for trans persons. Know more >

Registered in 2021, Brave Souls Foundation (BSF) has been working for the rehabilitation of acid attack survivors for a decade now. It is a community-led organization founded by Shaheen Malik, an acid attack survivor herself. BSF recognizes the deep psychological trauma endured by victims when their skin is burned, as well as the disfigurement and disabilities they must live with for the rest of their lives. Therefore, they believe that in order to reintegrate survivors into mainstream society, medical treatment alone is insufficient. Instead, holistic rehabilitation that includes addressing their trauma and discrimination through psychological, legal, and economic means is essential. BSF is currently operating in Delhi, providing socio-economic, medical, and psychological rehabilitation to survivors through medical support, counseling, legal aid, and skill development. Know more >

Burans is a partnership project of the Emmanuel Hospital Association (EHA) with the Community Global Health Network that started in 2014. EHA has been working in Uttarakhand for more than 80 years, running a hospital that provides low-cost and effective health services for rural and low-income families with a large catchment area. Burans project has identified and supported over 1000 people with psycho-social disabilities in Dehradun district and facilitated access to care (either psychiatric or psycho-social community based support) for these people with an intensive home support program. Beyond these families, Burans has trained over 1,000 ASHA workers in mental health and epilepsy. The organization’s activities in increasing mental health awareness have highly impacted help-seeking behaviour patterns and are likely to be a factor in a reported five-fold increase in people attending the outpatient department at the State Mental Hospital in Selaqui. Know more >

Established by the Indian Law Society, the Centre for Health Equity, Law & Policy (C-HELP) uses the law as a tool for health transformation and is committed to making the right to health a reality as visualized by the Indian Constitution and India’s international commitments. Through knowledge generation and dissemination that informs law and policy, it advocates for equity and justice in health. With MHI they are working to translate their Policy Brief “Happy Together” on law & policy concerns of LGBTQI persons and relationships in India into regional languages. This resource intends to equip the community and grassroots organizations that are working with the community with legal knowledge which will enable them to secure and promote the rights of the LGBTQI community. Know more >

The Centre for Mental Health Law and Policy (CMHLP) aims to protect and promote the rights of persons with psychosocial disabilities using a rights-based approach to mental health. It works with different stakeholders including people with lived experience, caregivers, mental health professionals, policymakers, civil society organisations and researchers. CMHLP works nationally and internationally with a specific focus on vulnerable and marginalised populations in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Know more >

Dalit Sthree Sakthi (DSS) was established in 2006 by Dalit women to protect and promote the rights of Dalit women and girls. During the last 17 years, it facilitated access to justice and counselling support for survivors in more than 1700 incidents of violence such as rape, murder, and domestic violence committed by inter and intra-community perpetrators. In partnership with MHI, DSS is addressing mental health issues of Dalit-Adivasi women and girls in general and of traumatized survivors of atrocities in particular by extending social, legal, and moral support. By taking affirmative steps, DSS aims to eradicate the structural violence these communities have been experiencing in silence. Know more >

Children spend more time in school than in any other formal institutional structure, so schools play a primary role in cognitive, emotional and behavioural development of children. Supportive and positive relationships among peers, with teachers and family members — have been found to protect against a range of adverse health and education outcomes for young people including depression, bullying, violence and academic performance. Professionals in educational settings can play a critical role in children's mental health as they may be in the best position to note changes in behaviour, including emerging mental health issues. The Broadleaf project in Darjeeling is training primary school teachers to deliver mental health care which increases access to care for children in low-resource settings. This MHI-funded model task-shifts mental health care to primary school teachers to allow them to deliver a therapeutic intervention to their selected students during school hours. The program aims to improve social, emotional, and academic outcomes for primary school students with mental health concerns. Know more >

Development And Justice Initiative (DAJI) engages with affected communities, service providers, decision-makers and other stakeholders to protect the rights of refugees, migrant workers, displaced people and other marginalised communities. Their work supports communities in preventing loss of citizenship and other rights, combating statelessness, and facilitating co-existence among affected communities. Their work is rooted in human rights and gender equality. DAJI was established in 2011 as a trust registered in New Delhi. It has conducted research, documentation, and campaigns to raise public awareness of citizenship issues. DAJI conducts health camps and assists refugees with employment opportunities. Know more >

In India’s criminal justice system, responsibility to survivors and victims of crime is limited to delivering sentences to perpetrators. Recognizing the limitations of the system to deliver on the other rehabilitation needs of survivors and victims, DISHA advocates with the government to activate and provide access to compensation schemes and other welfare schemes earmarked for such cases. Additionally, DISHA provides psychosocial aid and facilitates access to entitlements for survivors and victims of violent crimes such as rape, murder, attempted murder or serious injuries resulting in permanent disabilities and violence against women, children and elderly. DISHA works directly with these survivors and victims to provide legal aid, psychological counselling, financial assistance — through their social workers and by leveraging existing supportive mechanisms such as Bharosa Cell, District Trauma Committee and One Stop Crisis Center. Know more >

Established in 2002 in Jharkhand, Ekjut initially ran a village based clinic and home based management of children with malnutrition.Eventually, they expanded their work towards improved maternal newborn and child health survival in Jharkhand. They use a unique community capacity-building process namely Participatory Learning and Action (PLA) meetings cycle with women’s groups. With the proposed program they plan to address the underlying causes of distress faced by remote rural communities to achieve improved maternal and child survival, improved nutrition & dietary diversity, addressing Gender based violence, sorcery accusations, common mental health problems and substance use through PLA groups meetings,Social Contact programs to address stigma and discrimination, support group meetings of persons with mental illness( PWMI) and caregivers, psychosocial counselling by village peer facilitators, supporting to build agro-based livelihood opportunities and linking with public services and entitlements. Ekjut would be our first partner in Jharkhand, and would be one of the few partners that work closely with the indigenous Ho tribes towards the goal of building an inclusive society free from stigma and discrimination and accessing quality mental health services. This will also be the first partner who approaches mental health from a nutrition lens. Know more >

Eklavya Grassroots and Education Development Foundation is a community-led organisation founded in 2017 that works with first-generation learners from historically marginalised communities to facilitate career transitions through access to higher education, break the poverty cycle and become community role models. Their vision is to create the Satyashodhak Residential Youth Resource Centre in Nagpur as a model. Their strategy encompasses awareness, exposure, mentoring, socio-emotional support, providing linkage to scholarships, coaching, engaging relatable role models, peer support, mental support, and parent engagement during their intervention. All this has enabled some of their students to increase their incomes and get out of poverty. Know more >

Emmanuel Hospital Association (EHA) is a non-profit organisation committed to delivering specialized healthcare services in some of India's most remote and under-resourced regions. EHA is supported by MHI to establish standard operating procedures that ensure consistency and quality of response and care provided to survivors of suicide in hospitals, through documentation and review of ongoing emergency care services in Uttarakhand and Bihar. Know more >

GeoHazards Society (GHS) is a not-for-profit organisation working towards disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation by making the country´s most vulnerable communities safer from various hazards, through preparedness and mitigation. They have worked extensively to help improve the disaster resilience of vulnerable communities in Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Assam, Maharashtra, Kerala, etc. Their experience includes multi-year projects with major national and subnational agencies of India and neighbouring countries as well as the World Bank, WHO, bilateral agencies and the UN. Know more >

iCall began in 2012 as a project at the School of Human Ecology, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai. It provides confidential and free professional counseling via email and telephone, irrespective of age, gender, sexual orientation, caste, race, location – offering ongoing support to persons in distress until they feel empowered. iCall also conducts workshops and training for corporates, educational institutes, government agencies, and NGOs, to build greater awareness, or cater to specific organizational needs. It works with a special focus on marginalized sections — including women facing violence, abused children, LGBT communities, socioeconomically vulnerable groups, and survivors of mental illness. Know more >

Iswar Sankalpa primarily serves persons who are living on the streets through community-based interventions in low-resource, marginalized urban communities of Kolkata. As psychosocial disabilities both lead to and are exacerbated by homelessness, Iswar Sankalpa implements an Urban Mental Health Program (UMHP) to reduce stigma, enhance access to mental health services and build community and support networks. UMHP integrates mental health services within existing primary health centers in Kolkata, enabling accessible and affordable mental health care for marginalized communities. In addition to these preventive measures, the organization focuses on the integration and inclusion of homeless persons with psychosocial disabilities through community outreach work, shelters, livelihood training and family/community sensitization programs. Know more >

Jan Shourya Social Welfare and Development Society, registered in 2022 and based in Neemuch, Madhya Pradesh, works with women and girls from the Bachada and Bedia communities in 23 villages and 12 villages, respectively. These communities traditionally push their women and girls into sex work to economically support their families. Jan Shourya focuses on protecting the rights of these women and girls and empowering them with self-determination through awareness, rescue, and rehabilitation. Their long-term vision is to work with the youth from these communities to make them aware of their rights and dignity, help them pursue education, and explore various career paths. Know more >

Jeeva is a community-based organisation focusing on livelihoods, mental health and crisis intervention, and media content creation for persons from marginalised gender and sexual minorities in Karnataka. The organisation provides support in accessing resources and hopes to make the voices and concerns of gender and sexual minorities become part of public discourse. Jeeva was established in Bangalore in 2012, by Uma, a transwoman. Know more >

Founded in 2022, Karuna Evam Shanti Vahini Foundation (KeSVF) aims to design and implement interventions that address the inequality that exists in the public health system specifically in the neglected sectors of palliative and geriatric care. Currently, in collaboration with the government, non-government organizations, and the local community they are working to strengthen the palliative care program in the Nandurbar district of Maharashtra with an aim to develop a replicable model for other districts. They adopt a three-pronged approach in their work to support the home-based palliative care service delivery- Strategic Communications and Advocacy, Capacity building of local community-based health workers, and Effective research- based inputs and feedback mechanisms. The intervention focuses on identifying and nurturing leadership within the community to respond to multiple aspects of distress arising from health suffering. KeSVF has been set up to honour the legacy of Keshav Desiraju, former Secretary, Health, Govt. of India. Mr. Desiraju's leadership in public health was defined by his remarkable vision for a just and equitable health care system, and his deep compassion that brought hitherto neglected areas of health care into focus: mental health, palliative care, disability rights, geriatric care, and others. Know more >

Kashmir Lifeline (KLL) has worked in the Kashmir Valley since 2011 providing free mental health care and psychoeducational services to over 25,000 clients and 8,500 program participants. Years of conflict in Kashmir have fuelled traumatic levels of distress and unaddressed mental health issues as is often seen in communities subjected to similar extended periods of unrest and violence. To address and mitigate some of these issues, KLL’s care protocols are integrative, organic and built to provide complete mental health support to their clients. KLL adopts a two-pronged approach to mental health, offering both curative and preventive services. Curative services are designed for those living with mental health issues — and include a free and confidential telephone helpline, face-to-face counselling through the main clinic in Srinagar and outreach centers at government hospitals in three districts of Kashmir valley. Kashmir Lifeline’s preventive services aim to reduce stigma and help communities in the region understand mental health. Know more >

Kranti empowers girls and young women from Mumbai’s red-light areas to become the agents of social change and happiness. The members are young women aged 13-23 who are daughters of sex workers and survivors of trafficking. In the past ten years, Kranti’s girls have become the first girls from India’s red-light area to study abroad, received UN awards for their social justice work, given 500+ TEDx and other speeches worldwide, and been featured on dozens of international media platforms. Know more >

Founded in 2010 by a woman from the marginalised Pardhi community, Kranti is a Pune-based NGO working to empower marginalised communities, particularly the Nomadic and De-notified Tribes (NT-DNTs) and Adivasis. The organisation addresses critical issues such as gender-based violence, education, and health care, and works to promote the rights and dignity of these vulnerable populations in Maharashtra. Kranti also works towards facilitating access to government documents and linking communities to various social security schemes. Know more >

LAW Foundation is a non-profit organization in Patna, Bihar which facilitates access to socio-legal rights of custodial populations belonging to marginalized sections of society. Law Foundation’s thrust is primarily in the areas of legal aid services, networking, researching & documentation, and advocacy of custodial, institutional, legal, constitutional, and fundamental rights of under-trials. LAW Foundation focuses on rehabilitating and reintegration of undertrial prisoners from marginalized backgrounds. The organization works in collaboration with Bihar State Legal Services Authority, volunteer advocates and civil society to provide legal aid, bail bonds, and physical & mental health services. MHI supports the LAW Foundation to strengthen mental health support through the services of a social work professional to work closely with the prisoners and their families for sustainable mental health and long-term rehabilitation. The project will also facilitate counselling services and promote awareness in prisons on help seeking for mental health conditions. Know more >

The Life and Liberty Foundation (LLF) is working to promote safe societies and safe custody through a more just, accessible and inclusive criminal justice system for the marginalized sections of society. Their focus areas include strengthening women prisoners’ right to have contact with the outside world through equal access to information, legal aid, mental health and reintegration opportunities. ‘Integrated’ prison libraries are the mechanism by which the Foundation endeavours to facilitate women prisoners' access to information and reading rights, family contact or mulakat, legal aid and assistance, recreation, education and vocational training and other reintegration opportunities, serving to reduce prison isolation, promote their mental health and wellbeing. Currently, they are supporting prison libraries in 18 prisons across 7 states and 1 union territory. Know more >

Mann, based in Mumbai, is dedicated to training young adults living with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism. In partnership with MHI, Mann will implement a year-long caregivers’ support program that includes counselling sessions and transition plans, to equip family members and caregivers with information about available resources and beneficial coping strategies. This program aims to improve the quality of life of both the adult living with a disability as well as family members/caregivers. Know more >

Mental Health Action Trust (MHAT), founded in 2010, provides community-based and recovery-oriented mental health care totally free for economically marginalized individuals with severe mental health issues. MHAT services are availed by clients in eight districts of Kerala, across 46 community partnerships. These partnerships include government community health centres, various government departments such as the fisheries and the tribal departments, as well as local NGOs working across sectors such as health, palliative care and others. Know more >

Registered as a charitable trust in July 2022, the Mental Health Support Foundation (MHSF) is the parent organisation that oversees both the Bipolar India and Let's Walk Together initiatives. The co-founder, Vijay Nallawala, lives with Bipolar Disorder and has been engaged in the Mental Health Advocacy space. The Foundation offers peer-led psychosocial support and multi-disciplinary interventions to Persons with Mental Illness (PwMI). They aim to empower and train PwMIs to act as mentors and peers to other PwMIs. Going beyond symptomatic recovery, the Foundation believes that it is important to provide persons with mental health conditions opportunities to earn livelihoods with dignity and participate fully in society. Know more >

Moitrisanjog Society is an organization working with transgender communities and persons from other marginalized genders in Cooch Behar, West Bengal since 2009. Moitrisanjog, meaning “a network to connect friends”, started as an informal support group. By cultivating networks of persons from marginalized genders, Moitrisanjog has now evolved into a community-based organization working closely with local government bodies to advocate for the rights of trans people. Their primary objective is to provide a supportive network to persons from marginalized genders and sexualities to ensure equal opportunity to live a fulfilling life. Alternative Livelihood programmes, accessible health and counselling services, advocacy for access to education, short-term shelter support and legal aid are some of their core areas of work. Sensitization and public education on issues of gender and sexuality is another important pillar of its work. MHI is supporting their continued work on outreach and support - drop in centres staffed by a social worker/counsellor and a helpline, hosting safe spaces for community gatherings, and continued crisis support work. Know more >

Nayi Disha Resource Centre is a Hyderabad-based non-profit organization that provides resources and mental health support to caregivers of children affected by intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). It is a community-led initiative that is started by caregivers of children/family members with intellectual disabilities. They support caregivers by disseminating information, forming peer support groups, and enabling access to appropriate resources and a network of experts in multiple languages. Recognizing the dearth of mental health support for mothers of children with developmental disabilities in tier 2 cities, Nayi Disha is partnering with MHI to create sustainable communities in Lucknow and Indore by providing them with adequate support pertaining to their child, counseling, guidance, and peer community for their own mental health and emotional needs. Know more >

Olakhaan Trust is a grassroots organization dedicated to empowering Dalit, Adivasi, and nomadic communities in Kumbalgarh, Rajasthan. Founded by Paras Banjara, a member of the Banjara community, the Trust focuses on addressing the multifaceted challenges these communities face, particularly in education, gender and caste-based violence, lack of access to land and social security, etc. Through community libraries and training programs, Olakhaan aims to develop local youth as changemakers who can advocate for the rights of their communities. Know more >

Ondede, based in Bangalore, Karnataka, is a transgender-led organisation that strives for convergence to protect the dignity, voice, and sexuality of gender non-conforming children as well as transgender and sexual minorities from the working class. They work with legislative, executive, judicial, and constitutional authorities: the Department of Health, policymakers, writers, educational institutions, and civil society organisations working on social justice. Ondede works to ensure a gender-neutral and non- discriminatory society accessible to all to foster conversation, provide support, and strengthen efforts to raise awareness of issues of gender and sexual minorities. Know more >

‘Parcham’ means flag or banner and its name is inspired by Majaz’s poetry. Parcham is a registered non-profit feminist collective, that envisions a just and equitable society that values difference and interdependence. Parcham has been empowering young girls to dream of a financially independent future since 2012. Their comprehensive interventions in sports, education for children, citizenship education, and employability benefit marginalized women and youth. MHI supports Parcham’s life skills and career development project, which addresses the mental health of marginalized youth at a preventative level by providing career guidance and other education and career support. Know more >

Parvatiya Mahila Vikas Trust (PMVT) is a non-profit Panchayat women members’ collective based in District Kangra, Himachal Pradesh which conducts community development work around land rights, forest rights awareness, and social justice. PMVT aims to alleviate systematic caste-based discrimination, domestic violence, and sexual assault against the Pahari women's community. PMVT thrives on creating sustainable mental health through education and livelihood opportunities for Pahari women. MHI supports PMVT in capacity building of elected panchayat women representatives to provide psychological first aid to women victims of domestic violence. They also coordinate with government departments to implement the provisions of law and schemes to provide support to women victims. Know more >

People’s Voice was founded 10 years ago by members from different marginalized backgrounds and provides counselling and free legal aid support to victims and survivors of gender and caste-based violence. The organization aims to bring social change with constitutional values and values of human dignity at the core. Know more >

Positive YUVA Network Association is a network of youth living with HIV. A youth-led organization based in Rajasthan, they support People Living with HIV (PLHIV) and the LGBTQIA+ community by creating a safe and enabling platform for them. This community-driven initiative strives to establish an inclusive and nurturing environment for transitioning youth who have spent most of their childhood in care homes. Their mission encompasses providing essential life skills, skill development, and mental health services for their overall development. Know more >

Project 39A is a criminal justice programme at the National Law University Delhi. Since their inception in 2014, they have represented 148 prisoners sentenced to death in appellate courts across India. As of 2023, they have secured 21 acquittals in the Supreme Court and High Court and 39 commutations. Project 39A has undertaken empirical and doctrinal research on issues plaguing the criminal justice system including, mental health, legal aid, torture, forensics, and the death penalty. Under its Fair Trial Programme, it has provided legal representation to undertrial prisoners in Pune and Nagpur which has resulted in the release of 769 persons on bail and acquittals for 260 undertrials. Know more >

Project Man Marziyaan works with youth from Gond and other Adivasi communities in Bhopal on issues of mental health, understanding the self and society, and building peer support networks in bastis of Bhopal. Know more >

Project SPEAK is a suicide post-vention pilot initiative by M.S. Chellamuthu Trust and Research Foundation (MSCTRF) in Madurai district of Tamil Nadu, focused on providing support to women survivors of suicide loss through support groups, and immediate response by trained volunteers in the event of a suicide death in the communities. Know more >

Raahi endeavours to work towards creating a world where persons from marginalised genders and sexualities live a life free of violence and discrimination — a life with dignity, self-reliance and self-sustainability. Raahi works extensively with persons in crisis along with their allies on issues related to mental health stemming from their identity — providing shelter, legal and medical support, and support for the mental well-being for persons in crisis. Raahi also sensitises stakeholders such as family members, education systems, government bodies and mental health professionals on issues regarding communities marginalised by gender and sexuality. Raahi's mental health program includes training sessions with various groups and community organisations towards building a strong network and system for crisis intervention for communities marginalised by gender and sexuality. Know more >

Rising Flame is a national award winning self-led organisation working for recognition, protection, and promotion of human rights of people with disabilities, particularly women and youth with disabilities since 2017. Their work enables persons with disabilities standing at multiple intersections to have a voice, have a space, be heard and lead from the front. Through their programmatic work, policy and interventions. Their aim is twofold: 1) To enable and empower women, youth and persons with disabilities and 2) Influence the ecosystem to build an inclusive safe and accessible environment for all. Their work challenges the entrenched stigma, discrimination and violence faced by people with disabilities. MHI is partnering with Rising Flame on projects that aim to deepen and build nuanced understandings of mental health practitioners on mental health of disabled people and spotlight how persistent ableism and discrimination in society has adverse impacts on disabled people’s mental health. Through development of resources that treat disabled people as experts of their lives, they aim to reduce the existing gaps in understanding around ableism, and mental health of all disabled people. Know more >

Sadbhavna Trust was founded in 1990 and works with women and adolescent girls from socio-economically backward communities residing in slum areas of Lucknow. They have grassroots interventions with social justice as a guiding philosophy, following a bottom-up and collective approach to decision-making. They are also involved in research to develop material for capacity building and advocacy on gender-based violence and have also incubated other organizations and collectives working on gender issues. Know more >

Sahjani Shiksha Kendra (SSK) is a feminist organization that works with adolescent girls and women in Lalitpur and surrounding districts in Uttar Pradesh, on literacy and education with a rights-based approach. Led entirely by women from Dalit and OBC, backgrounds, they create awareness about gender issues related to caste, patriarchy, early/child marriage, violence against women, right to work, and food security in 5 blocks across 250 villages. They also work on legal guidance for survivors of domestic violence/GBV/rape, livelihood support, crisis intervention and building access to government schemes/acts. MHI is supporting SSK for a year-long program on incorporating psychosocial support and legal guidance within existing interventions, as well as promoting awareness to improve help-seeking behaviour for mental health in the communities they work with. Know more >

Samvada (established 1992) works with marginalized youth on youth leadership and development, education and livelihoods in Karnataka. In their Baduku Centre for Livelihood Learning, principles of feminist counselling drive their courses on counselling, which are both means to dignified livelihood for persons from marginalized backgrounds, and to building future mental health professions who work with a socio-political view on mental health and wellbeing. Baduku further provides education and livelihood support on 10 professions, including waste management, farming, journalism, and career counselling. Samvada works with the youth transformation model for social justice, supporting youth leaders with mentorship for their professional and personal lives, as well as various training examining systems of oppression such as the patriarchy, caste, communalism, etc. MHI partners with Samvada on Baduku’s “Gender Development Practitioners Course with Counselling Skills and Mental Health Perspectives”, providing mental health care on campus and self-care modules to all Baduku students. Know more >

Sanchetana is an organisation founded by Dr. Hanif Lakdawala in 1982. The organisation began its journey with a small clinic in Millat Nagar, Ahmedabad, offering medicinal support to residents. Over the years, their work has evolved to identify and work on issues of poverty, exploitation, lack of education, knowledge of rights, and caste-based conflict. In the backdrop of violence and communal tension in the state in the early 2000s, the organisation has worked on peace-building and communal harmony in Ahmedabad. Know more >

Savitri Fatima Foundation for Inclusive Development was founded by a group of activists who have worked on different social issues and have a vision of working on education and opportunities for people from marginalized backgrounds. They hope to build a society of informed and conscientious individuals based on diversity, equity, equality and inclusivity as guiding values. Know more >

Established in 2006, Shree Amrutvahini Gramvikas Mandal works with homeless persons with mental illness/es. They operate a shelter home cum rehabilitation centre in the rural area of Ahmednagar district for homeless persons with mental illness, employing a four-pronged approach: Rescue; Medical, psychological, and psychiatric treatment; Securing Rights; Psychosocial interventions, including reintegration with the family and community. Additionally, they focus on skill-building and providing various employment opportunities to enable the residents to lead independent lives. Know more >

Shivar Foundation is a non-profit spearheaded by Vinayak Hegana, a young Agriculture Studies graduate from Kolhapur who has been working on the issue of farmer welfare in Osmanabad district, Maharashtra for the past six years. The Foundation addresses farmer mental health, farmer suicides, farmer welfare support and mental health support—by providing counselling and referral services to indebted farmers and their families. Shivar Foundation works through outreach centers known as Farmers’ Friends Centers to provide psychosocial support to farmers within Osmanabad district, Maharashtra. The Foundation serves as an intermediary, connecting indebted farmers and their family members to government agencies implementing farmer welfare schemes meant to serve distressed farmers—advocating for effective service delivery and policy implementation. Know more >

Sneha Foundation Trust (SNEHA) established in 1986 is a Chennai-based organization working on suicide prevention through service delivery, advocacy, research and public education founded by Dr. Lakshmi Vijayakumar, a leading psychiatrist. The organization works on providing direct crisis intervention through telephone-based helpline and email. Services in SNEHA are delivered by trained volunteers. SNEHA believes that suicides are preventable with adequate care and support through listening with compassion, acceptance, respect and empathy. MHI is partnering with SNEHA to conduct a research study, ‘Addressing intergenerational conflict to reduce suicidal ideation and behaviour among young people’. Apart from experts, this research will involve young people with the lived experience of suicidal ideation and behaviour and/or intergenerational conflicts to oversee the activities under the project. Know more >

Established in 2017, Stand for Kashmiri Youth (SKY) Trust is a community-based youth-centric organization working closely with the community, focusing on youth, to address issues related to Education, Health, Gender, and Climate. They aim to improve the mental well-being of the community by tackling the structural determinants affecting them. For this purpose, they closely collaborate with youths and women to raise awareness about education, gender-based violence, mental health, self-awareness, and women's legal rights, among others. In partnership with MHI, SKY Trust aims to train a cohort of 16 young rural women who will work in their respective communities to promote mental health awareness and address gender-based violence. MHI is their first institutional funder. Know more >

The broad aims of this project are: to develop and provide psychotherapeutic services to, and to promote the overall emotional well-being of, litigants in the 11 Family Courts in the state of Maharashtra; to initiate research on the marital concerns of the litigants, and the counseling interventions currently offered by family court counselors in the state, in order to arrive at a more comprehensive understanding of litigants’ needs and concerns, as well as to identify effective elements of the counseling process that would help to build a replicable model of effective intervention. Know more >

Founded (in 2015) by women from Bahujan, Dalit, and Adivasi communities in Barmer, Rajasthan, Thar Mahila Sansthan works to empower young girls and women in the region. Their lived experience of facing oppression and discrimination under the patriarchal system drives their work with the community. While acting as a vital support system for women and youths in the region, they engage with them to address issues such as child and forced marriages, lack of education, domestic violence, sexual violence, etc. Recognising the profound mental health impact of these challenges, they actively promote awareness and ensure accessibility to mental health services and other rights and social security schemes for community members. Know more >

The Listening Station is a counselling initiative providing helpline services in Nagaland. What began as a small volunteer-based operation by a group of counsellors to help migrants returning to Nagaland in the first COVID-19 lockdown, especially youth impacted by employment and education disruption, now provides telephonic mental health services to the general population with a focus on youth in Nagaland. MHI supports the Listening Station to provide telephonic mental health services and conduct outreach with communities in the state. Know more >

Trust for Youth and Child Leadership (TYCL) is a community-based youth-led organization that was founded by three college students in 2009. It operates from the vibrant tourist destination of Puducherry and focuses on addressing issues such as limited access to quality education, a lack of job opportunities, and a need for career guidance, all through a mental health perspective. Over the years, the organization has organically evolved into its current form, and in their journey of more than a decade, they have positively impacted the lives of half a million young people through various programs. Puducherry has consistently had a high suicide rate on a national scale, which has been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The region has witnessed a 23.5% increase in suicides, resulting in a rate of 31.8 suicides per one lakh population in 2021. Despite these alarming statistics, there are very few organizations and services available in and around Puducherry City. TYCL specifically focuses on youth suicide prevention in the region. They offer vital support through their youth helpline, mobile mental health clinic, mental health awareness initiatives, and various other social programs addressing key issues such as job opportunities, skill development and career guidance for the youth. Know more >

Established in 2020, the Unlearn Foundation advocates for equality and actively works to address societal violence and crime. Through tailored programs, it assists marginalised groups and prison inmates by offering legal aid, mental health services, education, and life skills training. The foundation's holistic approach extends post-release support, empowering individuals to reintegrate into society and break the cycle of crime. Unlearn Foundation stands committed to cultivating a safer and more inclusive world. Know more >

Based in Chitrakoot district in Bundelkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Vanangana is a women's rights collective that has been active since 1993. Since 2003, it has extended its work to Banda. It is incorporated under the Societies Act. Vanangana has created a platform for women to gather, identify issues they share, and address them as a group. The organisation promotes leadership to emerge from within the communities through regular meet-ups at the community level. Vanangana works with a socioeconomic lens on violence and has a multipronged approach to justice and rehabilitation. Their community workers and volunteers ensure that support is available to survivors outside of the reach and working hours of the organisation. Know more >

Working to address the structural violence and trauma faced by young people and women from marginalized backgrounds such as Dalit, Adivasi, and Muslim communities, WAYVE Foundation strives to empower youth and women from communities by developing grassroots leadership. Approaching community support as the agent of change, WAYVE Foundation trains and mentors community leaders on a number of issues concerning their fundamental and constitutional rights, rights related to education, economic participation, mental health, and more. MHI partners with WAYVE to support a year-long leadership training program with young women grassroots leaders and survivors from Dalit, Adivasi, and Muslim communities in Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, and Gujarat. Know more >

Ya_All is a Manipur-based collective that strives to create a support system for easy access to information and services in health, education and sexuality for adolescents and youth who identify as queer — given their vulnerability to mental health concerns, substance abuse and suicide. Ya_All is a youth-led and youth-focused collective that runs a youth and queer-friendly health resource hub/drop-in centre. The centre provides mental health care services through queer-friendly counsellors, and mental health professionals, free of cost. The resource centre also serves as an informal space for youth who identify as queer to interact with each other and build a support system and peer-network. Know more >

The YuMetta Foundation is a collective of interdisciplinary professionals focused on health, education, and environmental sustainability. It engages socially conscious youth, aiming to empower them as future change-makers. Through initiatives like the 'Go to the People Camp' the foundation facilitates capacity building, social sensitization, and skill enhancement by providing opportunities for youth to connect with like-minded peers and role models. YuMetta's mission is to give back to society by nurturing a new generation dedicated to social impact. Their core initiative, 'Go to the People Camp' is a transformative program that engages socially conscious youth in immersive, hands-on experiences, teaching them practical skills in leadership, community engagement, and problem-solving. Know more >