From Stigma to Support: The Role of NGOs in Mental Health Advocacy

Remember Deepika Padukone’s heartbreaking interaction with media when she spoke about her mental health? The stigma surrounding around it, the lack of helping hands, and the ignorance of such an important issue- are some of the major topics she touched upon, which gave birth to the NGO “The Live Love Laugh Foundation” (TLLLF).

NGO (Non-Governmental Organizations) are independent organizations, that are typically nonprofit and have goals related to social sciences and humanitarian contexts. Have you applied for internships and come across a lot of organizations that must have “NGO” written? They cater to different populations in various ways, and provide assistance in multiple forms.

• Urban Contexts Running awareness campaigns, collaborating with schools and workplaces (offline as well as digitally)
• Rural and remote contexts Creating awareness and helping them by providing resources, as well as conducting culturally sensitive programs.
• Trauma and crisis intervention Provide counselling and resources to recover from the trauma along with establishment of safe spaces.
• Marginalized communities Providing intervention programs to help them, engaging in Intersectional Advocacy and ensuring existence of inclusive spaces.

Read More: Mental Health Support for Marginalized Communities

Hence, their functions try to extend support in every context. Focusing on a specific one, Trauma and crisis intervention are something NGOs are known for. Dealing with the incompetencies of the criminal justice system, helping easier access to resources with cheaper rates, providing with the right help is what theses NGOs are famous for. Hence, an integral role is also raising awareness about mental health.

• Urban Contexts TLLLF focuses on breaking the stigma around mental health. It conducts awareness campaigns like “You Are Not Alone,” targeting school students and the general public in urban centers.
• Rural and remote contexts Sangath’s “MANAS” project focuses on mental health interventions in rural communities, particularly for treating depression and anxiety.
• Trauma and crisis intervention Active in Jammu and Kashmir, DISHA provides mental health support to those affected by conflict, including trauma counseling and crisis intervention. 
• Marginalized communities Nazariya: A Queer Feminist Resource Group, focuses on LGBTQ+ mental health by offering counseling services, creating safe spaces, and conducting awareness workshops. 

Hence, these NGO’s are just a few compared to the vast ocean out there.

How do these NGO’s Exactly Help?

It can raise awareness of mental health issues in a number of ways, including by holding events, workshops, and media campaigns to de-stigmatize mental health issues, training community health workers, offering online resources, articles, and teletherapy to reach a wider audience, advocating for improved mental health policies, integrating mental health discussions in public sectors, and implementing mental health education in schools and universities to encourage early intervention.

Case Study to Understand Better

NGO: The Live Love Laugh Foundation (TLLLF)
Founder: Deepika Padukone
Year: 2015

• TLLLF launched impactful campaigns like “You Are Not Alone” and “Dobara Poocho” to address stigma and encourage open conversations about mental health.
• Held workshops in schools for both teachers and students about mental health, symptoms of distress, coping strategies, and identifying signs of mental health issues
• They conduct on-ground workshops with local leaders and community workers, disseminating mental health knowledge to wider audiences.
• Collaborates with hospitals, academic institutions, and other NGOs to enhance mental health services and integrate mental health awareness in different sectors.
• Supports research initiatives to understand the mental health landscape better and share findings with stakeholders.

They contribute significantly in normalizing mental health discussions and reducing stigma across diverse contexts in India.

Even NGOs Can be Creative!

• The Blurt Foundation created the “BuddyBox,” a subscription-based mental health care package. These boxes are filled with products that encourage self-care, mindfulness, and positivity, offering a tangible way to show support to someone struggling with mental health.
• TWLOHA uses storytelling through blog posts, videos, and social media to share real-life experiences of people dealing with mental health issues. They sell branded merchandise with messages of hope, using the profits to fund mental health support services and spread awareness.
• Mind HK organizes public art installations and exhibits that visually represent mental health struggles and recovery stories. They create spaces for people to interact, share, and learn about mental health through creative expression.
• Project Semicolon uses the semicolon symbol (;) as a metaphor for hope and continuation in life. People are encouraged to tattoo or draw semicolons as a reminder that their story isn’t over.
• “The Manic Monologues” is a play that shares true stories of individuals with mental health challenges. The NGO behind it partners with theaters worldwide to host performances, followed by discussions and panels.
• Beyond Blue launched “The Check-In App,” an interactive digital tool that helps people start conversations about mental health with friends and family. 
• Cuckoo Movement for Mental Health NGO uses creative arts, such as puppetry and street theatre, to talk about mental health issues in rural Sri Lankan communities.

Globally, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are essential in promoting mental health awareness, dismantling stigmas, and developing easily accessible support networks for a range of cultures. Through constant innovation and global learning from best practices, non-governmental organisations can become more efficient in meeting mental health needs. By doing this, they make a positive impact on a society that is more knowledgeable, caring, and welcoming, where mental health is valued and everyone has access to the assistance they require.