In an effort to break the shackles of conventional mindsets, the Mental Health Literacy Project (MeHeLP) has been coordinating with various NGOs, and spreading awareness on the issue through art. Arts help retell stories to impart new knowledge and develop skills and practices for mental health and well-being, Raghu says. “That’s why we say culturally appropriate mental health literacy is the need of the hour.”Vaishnav (name changed), a 29-year-old from a tribal community in Attapadi was forced to drop out of college due to incessant ragging. Partnering NGOs Mental Health Action Trust, and Mental Health Care and Research Foundation, MeHeLP conducted a study in four districts — Palakkad, Kozhikode, Malappuram and Ernakulam. Some of the themes of the plays were lived experience of mental illness, alcoholism and drug abuse, spousal abuse, stigma, and isolation, need for mental health education in schools, focus on children and the elderly.

Source: Indian Express October 31, 2021 18:16 UTC