Chaitanya has been actively involved in various Out-reach and Public Awareness Programmes, like distribution of literature containing information on mental illness and related issues, organizing exhibitions, workshops, public awareness rallies, street plays, etc to sensitize the community and fight the stigma attached to mental illness and those affected by it.
CULTURAL TALENT CONTEST:
organized by Chaitanya on Mental Health Day, October 10th every year, provides opportunity for residents undergoing treatment in various Governmental and Nongovernmental Institutions in and out state of Maharashtra to present their talents in front of the public. This can be considered as a first ever initiative in India that provides for individuals suffering from mental illness an opportunity to perform their talents, making them feel wanted, productive and worthy. Moreover, this initiative works as a sensitization method towards the community, creating consciousness. The venture has been highly appreciated by the families, mental health professionals and service providers, even by the media.
MENTAL HEALTH LITERACY CAMPAIGN:
another milestone for Chaitanya, which was inaugurated on 10th October 2008, is a massive Public Education Programme for the whole state of Maharashtra. The project is supported and technically guided by the Department of Health Services, Government of Maharashtra. This project aims to sensitize, educate and train target groups like Teachers, Policemen, PHCs health workers and Volunteers from the community about mental illness, which in turn helps the whole community to understand that mental illness can be treated and those mentally ill can lead a productive life with necessary support from the family /society at large.
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