Breaking stigma, building hope

VANSHIKA JAIN You are not alone".

-  VANSHIKA JAIN

a reassuring phrase frequently spoken, yet rarely felt in loneliness. Despite its comforting intent, these words often fail to do away with the isolation that many experience. However, when theatre, music, and discussions unite, it creates a symphony like none other.

Add to that a hall full of a compassionate, joyful audience, and one is bound to leave with a heart teeming with love for the abundance of kindness in this world. Such was the atmosphere on May 24 as Namma Area, a social hangout space for mental health service users, celebrated World Schizophrenia Day with much fervour.

✓suring phrase Poly An initiative launched by Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF) in May 2022 to commemorate this day, Namma Area is a safe space for mental health service users; it is their home. It aims to give service users autonomy and ownership, allowing them to engage in activities they enjoy with people they are comfortable with. Namma Area was explored as part of the PIECES project, a collaboration between India and Pakistan to improve community-based care for patients with psychosis and reduce the need for institutionalisation, with funding from National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Queen Mary University in the UK.