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Mission Ashra

ABOUT MISSION ASHRA

Mission ASHRA is a shelter home for mentally ill destitute women. It currently houses 227 women from various parts of the Country. The centre provides integrated support to the inmates, from rescue, treatment, counseling to final rehabilitation in the family and larger community. It is located in Jaila Industrial Area, Khorda.

Vision

A hunger free and healthy society where people of under deprived section particularly tribes, children and women can illuminate their life with a ray of hope.

Mission

To address the complete Health solution of the targeted group with an adequate, affordable and assessable service provision under one roof.

Target

Mentally ill destitute women across man made boundaries (The centre has till date reached out to 30 districts of the State of Odisha and around 15 States across India)

Managing homeless mentally ill from the street life has special problems, streets relate to all the good and the worst society can offer. Ill-treatment, savagery, hunger, torture on roads and to add to it the fragile mindset are probably only a part of the picture. This subjugation and humiliation multiplies manifold if the homeless mentally ill is a female. Physical sexual abuse, deprivation, repeated pregnancy, abortion and child birth on streets, on lookers stay looking on. Many are sold, resold in brothels and are cannibalized in kidney-bazaars, chronic starvation, Tuberculosis, VD, AIDS Diseases, and Death waiting in wings to take final charge of them.

Background

Managing homeless mentally ill from the street life has special problems, streets relate to all the good and the worst society can offer. Ill-treatment, savagery, hunger, torture on roads and to add to it the fragile mindset are probably only a part of the picture. This subjugation and humiliation multiplies manifold if the homeless mentally ill is a female. Physical sexual abuse, deprivation, repeated pregnancy, abortion and child birth on streets, on lookers stay looking on. Many are sold, resold in brothels and are cannibalized in kidney-bazaars, chronic starvation, Tuberculosis, VD, AIDS Diseases, and Death waiting in wings to take final charge of them.

In the context of Odisha, non-availability of adequate facilities including medical professionals, day care and short /long stay shelter homes, expensive medical treatment along with poor economic conditions aggravate the problem. In the current scenario the number of people suffering from mental problems is on rise. The existing medical facilities is limited and the knowledge of people on such issues still more limited, thereby creating a situation where the number of people suffering from mental illness is on a steady rise. In our state there are only 100 beds for such patients available in the three leading medical colleges. In such a situation most of the families who have a patient with mental illness has very little scope of getting quality treatment and other facilities. This eventually leads to an increase in the number of mental ill people wandering on their own in the streets.

Peoples Forum, initiated Mission Ashra around 13 years back with the sole objective of providing immediate shelter and required support to the mentally ill women who were either wandering on the streets or had no one to take care of. The centre is one of its kinds in the Eastern part of the Country that provides support for mentally ill destitute women. The centre ensures all possible support including food, clothing, shelter, medical treatment, counseling and vocational training in a positive and congenial atmosphere. The shelter currently has approx 250 women from different parts of the Country. Many of them have been rescued from the streets, but many have also been referred by Government officials including Collectors, Police Commissionarate etc. The centre provides integrated services starting from Rescue to Reunion in a sequential manner.

Major Mental Illness

We At Mission Ashra (2003-2016)

  • Being the Largest Rehabilitation Centre of the Eastern India.
  • Rendering Immediate Rescue Services to 2000 Women, Providing Shelter, Food, Psychiatric Medical Services.
  • Treated 1500 affected women across pan India.
  • 1000 women successfully re-united with their family across 9 States of India.
  • Managing 200 bed Rehab-Centre nearer to State Capital Bhubaneswar.
  • A 50 bedded Satellite Centre Established in Jharsuguda District.

How Does It Works?

Rescue team gets in action on receiving information

  • Rescue from any place (Viable Information Source)
  • 10 members rescue team.
  • 2 Ambulance on service 24*7.
  • 20 informants on alert at crucial locations.

Service Delivery Framework Of Mission ASHRA Is Indicated Below

  • Rescue - Rescue Operation takes place as soon as the centre gets information from reliable source pertaining to women with mental illness. The centre has a dedicated team of volunteers and professionals and 2 ambulances that proactively play their role to rescue the woman and bring her to the centre for further help and support including medical treatment. Help lines, police and other allied departments, district administration etc provide requisite support as and when necessary during the entire process.
  • Emergency medical care/ treatment/ Psychological couseling - The inmates of the centre undergo treatment by psychiatric doctors, gynecologists and pediatric specialists at regular interval. Besides this traditional and modern therapies are used to get better result. Currently the centre is using pharmaco-therapy, activities therapies, group and individual therapy, yoga, counseling therapy; alternative therapy viz. music therapy, art therapy, yoga therapy, plays and games, occupational therapy with special training on re-socialization and learning new roles in order to help them concentrate and gain consciousness of their presence. The centre has a treatment unit where both indoor and outdoor patients get treatment free of cost.
  • Rehabilitation/ Vocational training - The inmates of the centre are engaged in various occupational and vocational trainings/ activities to keep them engaged. Bamboo craft, wood art, dance and music, art and painting, incense stick making, chalk making, kitchen gardening etc are some of them. This also helps to develop their skills thereby playing a potential role in the entire process of rehabilitation and reintegration process. The organization markets these products in various exhibitions, workshops, local markets and deposits the amount in the individual accounts that are being maintained in the name of the inmates
  • Reunion and Integration - Mission ASHRA strives to ensure a better life for its inmates and for the same it leaves no stone unturned. Once they are stable and are recommended to be sent back by medical doctors, attempt is made to locate their families and once established they are united back with their families in a small ceremony within the campus. The organization has been successful in reuniting around 1045 number of women after being cured with their families through official correspondence, personal contact, counseling, motivation and if required by using political power and judicial intervention.
  • Tele-medical services through Video Conferencing – Video conferencing arrangements are being made in the satellite centres that in the process of being operational. This would help the doctors to render their services even while sitting in Bhubaneswar to the local satellite centre inmates.

Highlights Of The Centre

  • Largest Rehabilitation Centre of the Eastern India
  • Has responded to the rescue need of 2000 women
  • Providing support, shelter, food and medical/ couseling support to the inmates of the centre
  • Treated 1500 affected women across pan India.
  • 1000 women successfully re-united with their family across 9 States of India.
  • Managing 200 bed Rehab-Centre nearer to State Capital Bhubaneswar.
  • A 50 bedded Satellite Centre Established in Jharsuguda District.

Severity Of The Issue

Mental health problems are growing and the statistics shows that in India there is 1 Psychiatrist for 4 lakh number of patients. In such a scenario to expect people living in smaller cities and towns will get the required support in case of a problem is futile. Also the fact that the life of mentally ill destitute people, who are on their own in the streets are vulnerable to all kind of humiliation and exploitation. And talking about women, the scenario is precarious. Subjugation, physical abuse, repeated preganancy, abortion and child birth on the streets are very common on-look. Many of them are sold and resold in brothels and are easy prey of human trafficking. As part of ciivilised society it is our moral responsibility to provide support to those who are vulnerable and not in a position to help themselves

  • People’s Forum has been managing a shelter home for mentally ill destitute women for around 13 years now. We understand that there is a dearth of trained manpower and doctors to Largest Rehabilitation Centre of the Eastern India.
  • Rendering Immediate Rescue Services to 2000 Women, Providing Shelter, Food, Psychiatric Medical Services.
  • Treated 1500 affected women across pan India.
  • 1000 women successfully re-united with their family across 9 States of India.
  • Managing 200 bed Rehab-Centre nearer to State Capital Bhubaneswar.
  • A 50 bedded Satellite Centre Established in Jharsuguda District.

Important Initiatives/ Activities Undertaken At Mission ASHRA Level

Mission ASHRA as a centre is full of activities, vigor and enthusiasm. No opportunity is left untouched in order to make the centre a better place for its inmates. Be it festival or a visit by an important person or simply an event to create awareness on issues of mental health. The current year was no exception. Present below is an attempt to bring into few lines the various activities held throughout the year within the premises of Mission ASHRA and ahead.

Celebrations And Observance Of Festivals/ Days Of National And International Importance

Celebrating the very cause of its existence and any other opportunity is what makes the centre a homely and lively place for its inmates. The organization celebrated various festivals throughout the year with the inmates of the Centre. Staff of Peoples’ Forum joined hand from time to time to be a part of various celebrations.

  • Independence day and Republic day celebration
  • Observation of local festivals – Raja, Kumarpurnima etc
  • Observation of festivals of national importance – Diwali, Holi etc
  • Mission ASHRA foundation day – Every year the Organisation celebrates 18th July as its foundation day. Small event marked the day this year as well. Staff of People’s Forum got together with the inmates of the Centre to celebrate the day with vigor and enthusiasm. After formal cutting of cake, dance and song special dinner was arranged for all.
  • Observation of World Schizophrenia day – 24th May 2015 was observed as World Schizophrenia day. The day was observed with a small awareness program organized at the centre and was attended by some of the leading professionals working on the issue.

Visit Of Dignitaries/ Government Officials

Mission ASHRA has been one of the core visiting points of many of the important government officials including Secretaries, Collectors, Ministers etc.

Advocacy Initiatives

Mission ASHRA undertakes various initiatives from time to time to create awareness and sensitization on issues of mental illness across society. It uses various forums and occasions to highlight the issues of these people. Holding rallies, training programs or sessions on the issue , taking support of NSS and NCC volunteers to present the issues at important events are some of the strategies used by the organization over the time.