Abstract
The Banyan, a mental health service organisation, came into fruition in 1993 in response to complex problems surrounding the mental health of ultra-vulnerable populations. They offer comprehensive mental health and social care solutions for persons who are homeless and living in poverty with severe mental disorders. Whilst the services are social justice-centred and promote community inclusion; the need to build culturally specific, diverse and scalable models that address care gaps is of vital importance. Over the years, they have worked towards reframing mental health solutions using a person-centred, cross-sectoral and transdisciplinary approach, in line with variegated socio-political and cultural contexts. In this chapter, some of The Banyan’s flagship programmes such as its hospital-based services (Emergency Care and Recovery Centres), inclusive living options (Home Again) and mental health and social care units (NALAM) are explored. For stakeholder responsibility and partnership for sustainability, they collaborate with multiple government and non-government agencies, and global partners with a common vision and values.
I was out in the heat, The Banyan gave a shade to me
—A client at The Banyan
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Notes
- 1.
The phrase “value-based care” by Prof. Michael Porter refers to, “a care model in which incentivisation, efficacy and effectiveness of programmes are measured based on patient health outcomes. The ‘value’ in value-based care is derived from measuring health results that matter for a patient’s condition across the care cycle, as against the costs of care for a patient’s condition over the care cycle.”
- 2.
Healthcare and community workers are trained to identify mental health issues, ease referral pathways, facilitate socio-economic entitlements, and engage with clients to help them navigate the challenges of managing their illness and achieve their own subjective notions of wellness.
- 3.
Source: Vaidyanathan et al. (2018).
- 4.
These phases happen organically at each client's pace and readiness.
- 5.
Care team comprises case manager, program manager, nurse, psychiatrist and other professionals.
- 6.
HA - Home Again.
- 7.
Source: Vaidyanathan et al. (2018).
- 8.
Mogappair, KK Nagar, Kovalam, Guruvayur; and Replication sites: Sivagangai, Erode, Tanjore, Tirunelveli, Nilgiris, Madurai, Trichy, Tiruvallur, and Gunaseelam.
- 9.
The Banyan has also been catering to the aftercare needs of some clients from neighbouring countries of Nepal and Bangladesh.
- 10.
Source: M&E team, The Banyan (17 August 2022). Note: Facts are dynamic, and the data reported pertains to the time of writing.
- 11.
Source: Vaidyanathan et al. (2018).
- 12.
Source: Vaidyanathan et al. (2018).
- 13.
Source: M&E team, The Banyan (19 July 2022). Note: Facts are dynamic, and the data reported pertains to the time of writing.
- 14.
Tamil Nadu (Chennai, Chengalpattu, Trichy, Villupuram), Kerala (Malappuram, Kozhikode, Thrissur, Ernakulam, Alappuzha), Maharashtra (Ratnagiri, Thane), Andhra Pradesh (Visakhapatnam), Gujarat (Mehsana), Karnataka (Mysore).
- 15.
NALAM means “wellness” in Tamizh.
- 16.
Source: M&E team, The Banyan (19 July 2022). Note: Facts are dynamic, and the data reported pertains to the time of writing.
- 17.
Social distress includes social boycott, family conflicts, inability to have social interaction, facing ridicule from neighbours, loneliness, neglect by children and reduced access to education. Economic distress included loss of livelihood, low or no access to pensions, being terminated from employment etc.
- 18.
Source: M&E team, The Banyan. Note: These figures indicate the number of unique clients served by various programmes as of 19 July 2022. The facts are dynamic and pertain to the time of writing.
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Namrata Rao, M., Lakshmi Ravikanth, A., Sankaran, L., Bansal, P., Chowdhury, R. (2024). The Banyan Journey: A Continuum in Community Mental Health Care. In: Anand, M. (eds) Mental Health Care Resource Book. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-1203-8_14
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