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.
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.
To address the complete Health solution of the targeted group with an adequate, affordable and assessable service provision under one roof.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Mission ASHRA has been one of the core visiting points of many of the important government officials including Secretaries, Collectors, Ministers etc.
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.