Philanthropy’s Impact on Mental Health: History and Modern Efforts

Philanthropy is an act of giving funds to offer assistance to others on an expansive scale, but it is not considered a donation, it is something more than donations. It aims to improve people’s lives. Well-off people set up private foundations to monitor their philanthropic works. Philanthropy involves doing good work, such as providing money or volunteering to help others and society. Any person can be a philanthropist if they give their talent, money, time or skills to improve another person’s life.

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History of philanthropy

Philanthropy came from the Greek words “philos” and “anthropos”. “Philos” means loving and “anthropos” means humankind. Over 2,500 years ago Aeschylus a Greek playwright was the first person who used the word philanthropy. In the early years civilizations around the world were built with this idea of empathy and understanding another person’s needs. In the mid-19th century, advanced philanthropy was created with the generous acts of individuals like George Peabody and Andrew Carnegie. Over time the industrial leaders and other growing middle-class people worked together to solve societal problems.

Philanthropy and Mental Health

Philanthropy can play a crucial role in improving mental health by their quick and ability to take risks.

A report by NM Impact, United for Global Mental Health, and Arabella Advisors based on the surveys and interviews with philanthropists, highlights several key strategies. First thing is, philanthropists, can help to build capacity within the mental health sector, particularly in low and middle-income countries, where resources are low. This involves investigating training for mental health professionals, improving infrastructure for mental health institutions, supporting local organizations and providing mental health services to the people and society.

Secondly, Philanthropists can partner with public bodies and private sectors. This helps to develop advancement in mental health care. By working together, these entities can share knowledge, resources, and strategies to develop more effective solutions to mental health problems. Thirdly, Philanthropists can provide funds to programs that have been proven to work helping to expand their reach and impact. This ensures that successful initiatives can benefit more people and create lasting change in society.

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Philanthropy and Mental Health in India

Indian people have serious mental health challenges. In 2017, one in seven Indians had mental health problems and up to 83% of the people don’t get the treatment they need, according to surveys. Government funding for mental health problems is very low, just about 1% of the total health budget the government provides to the people.

According to the World Economic Forum, In 2023-2024, 110 million dollars was allocated for mental health. In that 86 million dollars went to the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuroscience, which is in Bengaluru. And 7 million dollars went to the organisation called Lokpriya Gopinath Bardoloi Regional Institute of Mental Health (LGBRIMH), in Tezpur, Assam. And 16 million dollars goes to the National Delhi Mental Health Program. Most of the funding goes to hospitals rather than community care, highlighting a need for better mental health care funding in India.

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To improve mental well-being care in India, individuals are required to know more about problems related to mental health. Philanthropic people should give more money to help the people who are affected by mental health issues, and we need to build better mental health facilities and services for the people who are affected.

A recent survey from the Center for Asian Philanthropy India shows that philanthropy, including donations from various individuals, corporations, and foundations, was increasingly focused on mental health, this increased after the effect of the pandemic, COVID-19. This new focus on mental health is a chance to make improvements in how mental health care is provided in India. The CAPIS report also shows that philanthropy supports mental health in many ways, which includes providing funding to institutions, community projects, and scientific research, while funding institutions usually get more attention than community-based approaches.

The World Health Organization recommends focusing on community and primary care for mental health services instead of specialized hospitals and institutions. This is particularly helpful in India to progress mental health. Many Indian organizations and industrial people such as Vandrevala Foundation, Mariwala Health Initiative, and The Life Love Laugh Foundation focus on mental health and provide funds for mental health improvements in society. Others like the Tata Trust and Azim Premji Foundation include mental health as part of their broader work in health, disability, and inclusion.

Take Away

Mental well-being is a crucial thing for the overall well-being of a person. Many individuals are not aware of mental health issues and their proper treatments. Philanthropists help those people by providing funds and conducting many awareness programs for them. Not only philanthropists we also help those individuals by providing little amount of money which we had. These acts help and make those people aware of mental health and they improve their well-being.

FAQs

1. What is Philanthropy?

Philanthropy is an act of giving funds to offer assistance to others on an expansive scale, but it is not considered a donation, it is something more than donations, it is something more than a donation. It aims to improve people’s lives. Well-off people are set as up private foundations to monitor their philanthropic works.

2. Can I become a philanthropist?

Any person can be a philanthropist if they give their talent, money, time or skills to improve another person’s life. Philanthropy involves doing good work, such as providing money or volunteering to help others and society.

3. How a Philanthropist help to improve people’s mental health?

First thing is, philanthropists, can help to build capacity within the mental health sector, particularly in low and middle-income countries, where resources are low. Secondly, Philanthropists can partner with public bodies and private sectors. This helps to develop advancement in mental health care. Thirdly, Philanthropists can provide funds to programs that have been proven to work helping to expand their reach and impact. This ensures that successful initiatives can benefit more people and create lasting change in society.

4. In India, Philanthropists take action to improve mental health.

Many Indian organizations and industrial people such as Vandrevala Foundation, Mariwala Health Initiative, and The Life Love Laugh Foundation focus only on mental health and provide funds to mental health improvements to the society. Others like the Tata Trust and Azim Premji Foundation included mental health as part of their broader work in health, disability, and inclusion.