Mental disorders affect 10.6% of our Indian population and nearly 2% suffer from severe mental disorders (National Mental Health Survey of India 2015 – 16*). One in six people experience common mental health disorder (Mental Health Foundation**); yet, till today, awareness on mental illness not enough and is marred with myths and misconceptions

Shrouded by stigma, ostracism, burdened by mysterious symptoms, torn between the non-availability of Government psychiatric services and non-affordability of private consultations, millions of families suffer silently. Much of mental ill-health is under-recognized, undetected and untreated. 80% of people, especially the poor, with mental illness remain hidden; many are locked up helplessly in miserable conditions while others are at the mercy of traditional and faith healers. Persons with mental and psychosocial disabilities also experience high levels of physical and sexual abuse.

When left untreated, mental ill-health may bring about substance abuse, non-compliance with medicines, diminished immune functioning, and poor prognosis. Treatment and reintegration of people with mental illness is linked to a range of development outcomes, including enhanced productivity and earnings, better employment, higher educational achievement, improved human rights protection and promotion, better health status and improved quality of life.

There has been significant progress in treatment options for severe mental illness in recent years, the mainstay of treatment being medication. Psychosocial interventions including counseling, family therapy and community based employment assistance are now recognized as central to the success of treatment and they need to be tailored to each individual. The social impact of mental ill-health costs billions to any country.

Thus, it is necessary for every person suffering from severe mental illness to be identified early, assessed timely by a psychiatrist, get treated with adequate medical care, followed up regularly with proper psycho-education, cared by concerned caregiver and helped supportively by the family to return to productive life.

However, with prevailing paucity of mental health professionals, where we have one psychiatrist for 3 to 4 lakhs population, reaching treatment goal was far from reality. It is only now that the National Mental Health Program (NMHP) is slowly reaching the District level. 

Basic Needs India has worked 17 years with persons with mental illness for their rehabilitation, development and re-integration in the family and community. BNI’s approach of working with individuals experiencing mental illness, their families and community to de-stigmatize and to non-discriminate the affected tries to bridge the gap in treatment and re-integration. BNI helps individuals with mental illness to develop their emotional, social and intellectual skills needed to live, learn and work in the community with the least amount of professional support.