I believe in access to affordable mental healthcare is a right and it’s essential to make people mindful of the same. In February, I started tweeting about affordable psychiatric hospitals, counseling centres, NGOs, independent counselors and institutes in India on Twitter. The response I received was extremely positive and it further motivated me to continue working on it. That’s when my friend, Unnati suggested that I make a Google form, which can be easier to share across platforms. She made the Google form instantly and added the first few resources on it.

Because of lack of awareness and options, most of us suffer in silence or try to cope using unhealthy means. These often turn out to have detrimental consequences. In extreme cases, suffering individuals resort to seeking refuge in suicide.

I believe the first step towards advancing the mental health approach in our country is to develop awareness on the professional help available and to refine the general population’s knowledge on mental health. This form of literacy can be a source of empowerment to individuals who could then take sound decisions for their psychological well-being and help those around them.

I am hopeful and optimistic about change in our perception and access to mental health resources in our country.

I want to use my mental health awareness and knowledge to contribute to change. To open conversations and dialogues to both learn and share knowledge and use it as a tool in eliminating stigma.

When we as a community actively participate to educate ourselves about mental health, stop believing the inaccurate representations of mental illness by media, be mindful of perpetuating stereotypes and talk to people who have mental illness, we generate empathy. This contributes to creating a safe space for people to seek help and in reducing internalised stigma.

Here, I have made a list of affordable mental health centres in various cities of India. Please, access this list and use the information whenever you find yourself or someone around you who needs help or just someone to speak to or to help you deal with your thoughts and mental health.

CLICK HERE 

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