Understanding the Issue and the People
With inadequate support and health infrastructure, human rights violations are common in the case of people living with mental illness.
Worldwide, issues related to mental health require urgent attention. In India, approximately 1% of the population (10 million people) have major mental illnesses. Another 5% to 10% of the population (50 to 100 million people) have minor mental illnesses. Human resources which include psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, psychiatric social workers and psychiatric nurses are extremely inadequate.
In rural areas, the situation is even more grim, with essential resources being much fewer. Women and poorer people face even greater marginalisation than others. Everywhere, myths and stigma associated with mental illnesses come in the way of appropriate understanding and care.
Tremendous stigma, denial and shame shroud the realm of mental illness. Family and community members often refuse to acknowledge the presence of mental illness. People who suffer from mental illnesses are unable to seek necessary attention.
Core beliefs
"However poor or ill a person is, s/he has the ability to manage his/her life"
Basic Needs India Trust (BNI) grew out of the belief that the rights of people who experience mental illnesses, especially those who are poor, must be addressed not only at an individual level, but also in the context of a wider world. BNI engages people living with mental illnesses and their carers in processes that are mutually enhancing. All people involved in care and rehabilitation work learn, grow and are strengthened together. BNI addresses both people's mental health concerns and situations of poverty to ensure sustainable recovery.
The underlying conviction is that mental health issues must be seen not only in medical terms but just as importantly, as human rights issues.
BNI's main role is that of creating a caring, accommodating and understanding environment to ensure fair treatment of people living with mental illnesses. Such an effort involves liaising with and including a host of people - people affected by mental illnesses, family members and other carers, community members, medical professionals, policy makers and government officials.
