Worldwide, one in four suffers from a mental or neurological disease at some point during their lifetime. In India, 10.6 % (more than 100 million people) suffer from mental illnesses and requires immediate intervention; and nearly 2% (20 million people) suffers from severe mental disorders. Although one member in every ten families is likely to experience serious mental illness, the community awareness on mental illness is marred with myths and misconceptions.

Shrouded by the fear of stigma, ostracism and faced by non-availability of Government psychiatric services and non-affordability of private consultations, millions of families suffer silently. Due to this, most persons with mental illness remain locked up in miserable conditions hopelessly, while majority are at the mercy of traditional and faith healers. In rural areas, the situation is even grimmer, with essential resources being much fewer. Women and poorer people face even greater marginalization than others.

It is necessary for every person suffering from severe mental illness to be identified early, assessed timely by a psychiatrist, get treated by the Government services with free medicines, followed up regularly with proper psycho-education, cared by concerned caregiver and helped supportively by the community to return to productive life.

With existing paucity of mental health professionals, where we have one psychiatrist for 3 to 4 lakhs population and the slow reach of the government mental health programme to District level, it requires community’s active involvement to reach out those with mental illness at block and village levels. It is extremely challenging for Government to do without the community joining in its efforts and the stakeholders ensuring ownership towards sustainability.

Basic Needs India is one among few organizations that have been working for nearly two decades with persons with mental illness. Through a series of consultation with stakeholders and its best practice, BNI developed its vision and Community Mental Health and Development (CMHD) approach of working jointly with individuals experiencing mental illness, their families and community, de-stigmatizing and non-discriminating the affected.