Mental illness and Neurological Disorders (MINDS) Foundation, is working with par excellence for the betterment of the people living in such a deprived and neglected lives in rural communities of tribal belt of Gujarat State India. The MINDS Model is very impressive and like an OpenSource... to replicate in other parts of the country... wondering why Government or local body is not adapting such initiative to help MINDS in its footprints as a Public Private Partnership... with good fund and staff support which can provide better sustainability to this kind of great project and great humanitarian effots
MINDS is staffed by some of the most passionate people I've ever known. Instead of going into the rural villages of India to provide meds for patients with mental illness, they work towards building a relationship with the village and the patients they serve. Whenever the social worker entered a village, everyone knew who she was and she talked to everyone and knew all of their backgrounds. They help with providing care, arranging transportation, funding for care and delivery of medication. For an NGO, this is impressive.
“I have a deep respect for social causes and for peoples involved in making and shaping someone’s life more meaningful and liveable. Experiencing different social interventions and working with Labour Welfare projects I came across many opportunities where Govt. Machineries and NGOs can do much more innovatively and effectively. But welfare institutions are bounded by many influential factors and restrictions. I am very happy to be the teammate of MINDS Foundation because there is a freedom to work innovatively, usefully and effectively for the betterment of the poor, needy, deprived and helpless individuals at a very distinct level of dedication and caring efforts. Instead of providing some sort of small or big monetary or non-monetary welfare benefits, MINDS Foundation works and cares intensively for its people until they gets cured and live happily ever after within their community.”
The MINDS Foundation is doing important work in the area of Mental Health in India. I've worked in government hospitals in India, and noticed that there is a large population which needs mental health care, but a severe lack of trained professionals in the field. MINDS is attempting to bridge the gap by training Community Mental Health Workers to identify people with mental health concerns, thus easing the burden on the existing system. In addition, there is a lot of pioneering work being done in terms of developing apps and software to ensure follow-ups, and higher rates of treatment adherence. I'm impressed by the organization's ability to target stigma both, in rural India through educative camps, and urban India through social media. Personally, I think it's an organization with a daring vision, new ideas, and the brains to back them up.
MINDS is doing pioneering work in for mental healthcare in India. Having seen very closely the inadequacy of most services in rural India, I can vouch for the need of their program which allows quality mental healthcare to reach the villages. The team is dynamic, motivated and committed to creating a big impact. Good luck to MINDS!!
MINDS is such an amazing organization. The work they do to eliminate stigma and provide access to mental health care in India is so important, especially because MINDS is the only organization doing this type of work in the region. This type of work is so challenging because of the stigma and difference in culture that exists, but MINDS approaches it carefully and diligently. I was drawn to MINDS because of how passionate everyone involved is about the work that is being done, and because I could see how much need there is for mental health work in rural regions.
The MINDS Foundation does a fantastic job at providing accessible health education in rural India, breaking down the stigma of mental illness in order to provide more effective treatment. As the only non-profit working to treat all mental illnesses in Gujarat, India, the MINDS Foundation offers necessary, valuable outreach to local communities.
The MINDS Foundation is doing a phenomenal job in eliminating stigma against mental illness , providing treatment and moral support to the patients. In such a short span of four years MINDS has touched the lives of more than nineteen villages in Gujarat. I am really excited to be a part of this organization and to contribute to help mentally ill in India. MINDS has a grassroots approach to tackle the issue and believes in direct service delivery to the community. We are a team of dynamic and passionate individuals under the able leadership of our CEO Raghu Appasani. We are motivated by the smiles of people whom we have helped and so we embrace the challenges happily. I am really excited to be a part of this organization which is marching forward to make this world a better place to live for mentally ill patients and their families.
The MINDS Foundation is an incredible organization and one that I am truly honored to work for. We are group of highly driven young professional with a very simple goal -- the de-stigmatization of mental health in India and beyond. The organization is driven, dedicated, and centered around its vision -- the shares all the excitement and passion of a startup with a public health, not for profit mission that is relevant, important, and critical to the overall success of developing health systems. I could not ask for a better organization to be a part of!
great non-profit, with a great goal. the issue that MINDS is tackling is growing and by taking a step towards eliminating stigma around mental illness they are doing a great thing.
I have seen the Minds Foundation take shape since it was started at Wesleyan University several years ago. The organization is lead by passionate, talented, and visionary social entrepreneurs. I am confident that the organization will continue to grow its impact in the years to come.
I love working with the MINDS Foundation! We're a very small nonprofit run by people with a shared passion for educating others and improving communities. Our presence in the field and strong partnerships with universities and hospitals has improved many lives in Gujarat, India. We are essentially building an infrastructure that can be used in other local communities in the developing world. I am so proud of what we've accomplished, even though we're a tiny, boot-strapped nonprofit!
MINDS is an incredible organization. The amount of work that MINDS has achieved in such little time with so few people is simply extraordinary. As a volunteer at Wesleyan University, where MINDS was founded, I have not only been able to learn about a largely ignored public health issue but also to develop event planning and networking skills through organizational leadership positions. MINDS does great work serving people in India, having developed an innovative multi-stage plan and continuously raising funds. However, it also serves the students involved as volunteers in an equally innovative way, allowing them to take on leadership positions, volunteer on site in India, and do research.
When I learned about MINDS I was shocked. How could such a important issue be handled by college students? Knowing the difficulty of working in India, I just couldn't believe what was being done. When I was introduced to the core team, I met hardworking and dedicated students. I was able to work with them and realize how things were done and it was truly amazing. This is such a pressing issue, that needs more awareness not only in India, but also in countries throughout the world. The MINDS Foundation takes a grassroots approach to handling the issue in one specific city in Gujarat, India. The main reason that MINDS has been so successful is because of its focus on a certain specific population and because of its stellar partnership with Sumandeep Vidapeeth and Dhiraj Hospital. With the help of more volunteers, and more generous donations I believe that the MINDS Foundation has potential to sustain their programs in Baroda, Gujarat, India and also in the far future will have the ability to spread.
I've been very interested in this organization and what they do is very exciting. It is especially great that they look to improve quality of life through grassroots approaches rather than pouring money at the state level to influence policy etc. The fact that they also recognize the role that stigma plays in mental illness and its treatment is very important. The issue is larger than just providing medication to relieve symptoms. There has to be some focus on improving the environment & communities that the patients are apart of. The MINDS Foundation realizes this.
When I discovered MINDS I was quickly interested in collaborating.
I am fascinated with the courage to treat mental health in Gujarat (India); and what also seemed to me especially great is the genuine trust of improving mental health care’s in communities far away from cities where there currently are neither services nor ways to access there. So, they are constructing mental health help-structures for those who are severely suffering the consequences of not having care, resources and psychoeducation and where stigmatization is very worrying and detrimental. I never knew before a nonprofit organization specifically worried about mental health in a developing country, that moreover highlights in its excellence by their professionalism and enthusiasm. I admire the MINDS’ target as well the entire development plan that they are carrying out.
I am sincerely impressed with this initiative and I highly recommend supporting them.
