Ashadeep: Rescuing mentally disabled from streets

PEOPLE who live on the streets without a place to call home are deprived of one of life’s most basic necessities – shelter. Over 1.77 million homeless people in India are susceptible to harmful conditions such as disease, starvation, accidents, abuse and sexual exploitation. But add the mentally disabled to this situation, and the suffering and vulnerability increase drastically and dangerously. 

An estimated 6-7% percent of India’s population (i.e., 84-98 million people) suffers from mental disorders, according to the National Health Mission. The condition of the mentally disabled requires specialized treatment and a great deal of support and dedication from carers. These carers are usually family members who provide around-the-clock assistance. Despite this, there are times that the mentally disabled get lost while on a walk or going to the store. At other times, carers may feel that it is too heavy a burden and abandon their loved ones, often kicking them out onto the streets. This is where the NGO Ashadeep Day Rehabilitation Centre steps in to rescue people with mental illnesses who end up on the streets. 

Learning from personal experience 

The founders of Ashadeep are Dr. Anjana Goswami and her husband Mukul Goswami, who were awarded the Padma Shri in 2014 for their social work. For 10 years, Dr. Anjana and her husband cared for a family member with schizophrenia. For them, one of the most difficult aspects of this care was watching the pain and anguish felt by their loved one as they were repeatedly ridiculed, exposed to dangers and rejected by people. Through this experience, they learned the struggles of families across India that look after the mentally disabled. That is when the Ashadeep Day Rehabilitation Centre began. The non-profit organization cares for people with mental illnesses, reunites them with their families and rehabilitates them to bring meaning and purpose to their lives. 

Life on the streets for India’s homeless

Homeless people live on pavements, sewage pipes, in religious establishments or in any open space. They are forced to eat the scraps they find in the dustbins or on the side of the road. Without proper nourishment, they suffer from malnutrition and even die of starvation. Their physical conditions are prolonged and worsened because they don’t have medicines and treatment. 

The psychological and psychiatric care they need is non-existent. As a result, they suffer from delusions, hallucinations and other disorders, as Dr. Anjana shares in this video. Their mental disabilities prevent them from working, forcing them to beg on the streets for food. But the heartbreaking mistreatment they suffer at the hands of people often breaks their resolve and dissolves whatever hope they have that someone will help them. 

From the streets to a life of purpose at Ashadeep

Ashadeep has rescued and rehabilitated over 1,200 people from the streets. Each person at the Ashadeep Day Rehabilitation Centre has a personalized rehabilitation program unique to their specific needs. The NGO’s rehabilitation plan focuses on these areas:

1. Food and medical care

From the moment the homeless with mental disabilities are taken off the streets, they are given nutritious food and medical attention at the Ashadeep Day Rehabilitation Centre. The NGO tends to these immediate needs to nourish them to good physical health. 

2. Counselling and therapy 

Through counselling, Ashadeep searches for information such as a phone number or home address. Using this information, the families are contacted and alerted on the whereabouts of their missing loved ones. So far, more than 1,000 people have been reunited with their families.

3. Sport and recreation

Sport and recreation is an important element of rehabilitation. People can play badminton, bocce ball, floor ball and other sports. Each person is also enrolled in the Special Olympics Bharat as a special athlete. Competing in sporting competitions serves to boost confidence and self-esteem. 

4. Practical education and vocational training

The rehabilitation program includes practical education to help people perform daily activities such as reading street signs or conversing. Vocational skills training is also offered to help people learn jute bag-making, candle-making, fabric printing, tailoring, knitting and food preparation. Ashadeep also opened the Soul Food coffee shop where rehabilitated people can work and be financially empowered. Through an NGO partnership program, Ashadeep also organizes a training program to prepare people for job placements in professional data entry within months.

The Ashadeep Day Rehabilitation Centre needs your help to rescue and care for the mentally disabled and homeless. With your charitable donation, Ashadeep can allow each person to overcome their difficulties and live their lives with dignity. Donate to Ashadeep’s fundraiser on Give and help Dr. Anjana meet the needs of thousands more of India’s homeless with mental disabilities.

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Shirley Bobby

Shirley has been in the development sector for over 10 years and is passionate about making a change in the world around her, including adopting dogs and writing to make a difference.