Mental Health Foundation

Mental Health Foundation (India) established the MiHOPE Programme to provide accessible mental health care, particularly during the pandemic's resource-challenged times. Amidst COVID-19's disruptions, including lockdowns and job losses, the MiHOPE initiative emerged on March 31, 2020, as MH-COP, and later became a national portal on October 4, 2020.

The portal offers free Tele counselling and telepsychiatry services, connecting individuals in need of psychosocial support with trained volunteers specializing in psychiatry and counselling. MiHOPE addresses barriers to therapy caused by limited resources, delivering services through the internet portal. Staffed by qualified therapists and psychiatrists, sessions accommodate individual preferences, accessible through chat and video calls on various devices. The portal also hosts a range of well-being resources to supplement therapeutic support.

Mental Health Foundation (India) advocates for the decriminalization of suicide, addressing the complex connection between mental health and suicide attempts. Despite legal provisions, suicide's criminalization persists, leading to confusion and conflicting situations. The organisation navigates the historical context, focusing on Section 309 of India's Penal Code, which continues to label suicide as punishable. While efforts have been made to exempt those with mental distress, the existence of this section raises questions about coercion and non-mental health-related cases. The Foundation fervently pushes for dialogue and change, emphasizing the need to decriminalize suicide in alignment with Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code.

Mental Health Foundation (India) leads "Project Samarthan" within Tihar Prison, Delhi, to address the accessibility of mental health care, particularly among institutionalized individuals like prison inmates. With over 16,000 inmates, Tihar Prison houses a significant population, and more than half of them are reported to suffer from mental illnesses, resulting in issues like increased suicide rates, emotional struggles, inadequate coping skills, anger management challenges, and substance use disorders. In collaboration with All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), the Foundation introduced "Psychological First Aid for Prison (PFA-P)", a pioneering initiative globally. The comprehensive guide/manual offers humane and practical strategies to aid inmates during psychological and emotional crises, aiming to support their mental well-being.

Mental Health Foundation (India) addresses mental health challenges among older adults in collaboration with HelpAge India, recognizing that approximately 15% of individuals aged 60 and above face mental health issues such as depression, dementia, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Despite this, the old population remains largely underserved in terms of mental health awareness and resources. The Foundation has partnered with various institutions including The Earth Saviours Foundation, Bindapur Old Age Home, and Vridashram by Sawhney Foundation, to provide free psychiatric medications, establish a Psychiatry OPD, conduct one-on-one interactions, organize activity schedules, workshops on hygiene and health, and follow-up assessments for vulnerable residents. This ongoing project aims to make a positive impact on the mental well-being of the elderly residents while conducting informative workshops on various mental health topics.

ental Health Foundation (India) introduced the Science and Technology of Yoga & Meditation (SATYAM) programme in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology. It combines disciplines like Medicine, Psychology, Philosophy, and Neuroscience to address the connection between mental and physical health. SATYAM employs customized yoga and meditation modules for participants from AIIMS and Tihar Inmates, adapting routines to specific mental health issues. The initiative involves collaboration among yoga specialists, trained psychiatrists, psychologists, and interns, leading to positive outcomes and an expanded reach to over 20,000 individuals struggling with mental health challenges.