Mariwala Health Initiative

We’re incredibly proud to share ReFrame 2022: Climate Justice & Mental Health. This issue carries knowledge & narratives from indigenous communities & disability activists as well as across geographies such as Afghanistan, Bhutan, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka & South Africa. We’re grateful to our wonderful authors & design team Ping Pong for making this issue what it is. Check out the special ReFrame microsite here: reframe2022.mhi.org.in Raj Mariwala, Chhaya N., Abhishek Anicca, Alice Barwa, CAMELLIA BISWAS, Prashant Ingole, Ayisha Siddiqa, Garret Barnwell, Candice D’souza, Rituraj Phukan, Olimpika Oja, Youth for Unity and Voluntary Action (YUVA), Kyle Hill, Ph. D., M.P.H., Lian Zeitz, Gaia Brignone, Meiyun Seleyi, Srividya N Iyer. #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthadvocacy #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealth #mentalhealthservices #climatechangeisreal #climateactionnow #climatechange #climatecrisis #climatejustice #climatemergency #climatechange #mentalhealthsupport #mentalwellbeing #mentalhealthmonth #mentalhealthawarenessweek #mentalillnessawareness #mentalhealthisimportant #climatechangeawareness #environmentaljustice #environment

🐶 Paws for Senior Well-Being! 🐶 For #WorldSeniorCitizensDay, Citizenk9India (Raj Mariwala) has shared valuable insights about Animal-Assisted Therapy and senior mental health. For older adults who are facing alienation, physical and emotional changes, and distress — interaction with pet friends has proved to be very instrumental in improving quality of life. 🐶Research shows that Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) can significantly improve mental well-being in seniors. In one study, 144 older adults in Italy experienced better psychological health and life quality after just three months with therapy animals. 🐶 Animal therapy (AT) can help people with dementia by promoting social interaction, and reducing boredom and isolation. 🐶 Animals can encourage residents to participate in activities and accept care. For example, residents in senior homes are likely to walk and engage with pets. 🐶 The calming effect of therapy animals benefits everyone, including staff — by reducing stress and promoting interaction. #seniorcitizens #pettherapy Alt-Text: in Comments

On #WorldHumanitarianDay, we remember the aid workers who were killed while attempting to provide humanitarian relief in Gaza. Their deaths are a devastating loss — and also exacerbate the overwhelming suffering of the civilians in Gaza, who depend on aid workers for access to food, water, electricity, and medicine. May they Rest in Power ✊🏾

On #IndependenceDay, MHI highlights the harm done by discriminatory approaches present in existing care systems which fail to break free of the social stigma attached to intellectual disabilities and mental illnesses. It is crucial to acknowledge mental health care as a human rights issue. Without any deeper understanding of what the care involves, without any space for interrogating power, without foregrounding lived experience, exclusionary system interventions fail to provide any effective support to people with intellectual disabilities. #basichumanrights #notodiscrimination #deinstitutionalisation

How has Positive YUVA Network Association been empowering youth living with HIV? MHI Partner Positive YUVA Network Association is dedicated to addressing the critical needs of young people living with HIV. Through access to education, vocational training, counselling, and a strong peer support system — PYN is helping marginalised youth build their futures. This #InternationalYouthDay, while we celebrate the power of digital innovation, Rahul’s story reminds us of the critical value of community-based support networks like PYN. Read >>

On her 51st birth anniversary, MHI reflects on #PhoolanDevi's life, a powerful testament to the #resilience and mental strength of #marginalized communities facing caste and gender violence. Despite her criminal past, she emerged as an enduring symbol of defiance, inspiring oppressed #caste #women and savarna women alike to challenge #patriarchy and systemic injustice. Phoolan's journey from an illiterate, so-called low-caste to a formidable political figure is a parable of India's ongoing struggle for #equality. Her later embrace of #Buddhism marked her quest for #peace, #healing, and self-empowerment, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire the fight for #justice, #dignity, and #mental #well-being for all.

#WorldsIndigenousPeoplesDay MHI is delighted to present a snippet of Dr. bodhi sr speaking at the consultation on ‘Mental Health and Wellbeing for Adivasis & Tribals’, held on 16th and 17th March 2024. Dr. bodhi highlights the importance of creating spaces where the emotionality of these experiences — whether pain, joy, or the complex stories in between — can be fully acknowledged and respected. This approach is crucial for fostering Indigenous Psychologies that resonate with the lived realities of Adivasi and Tribal communities. 📺 The full video is available on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/grBKfTSk 📕 The report, ‘Mental Health and Well-Being for Adivasis and Tribals’, captures these deliberations and provides suggestions to build the mental health discourse and practice — of and for Adivasis and Tribals: https://lnkd.in/gFVXUrSS Video Credit: Eugene Soreng

For #WorldsIndigenousPeoplesDay, MHI is delighted to present a snippet from the consultation meeting on ‘Mental Health and Wellbeing for Adivasis & Tribals’ that was held on 16th and 17th March, 2024. Adivasi and tribal individuals studying/working in different areas and in different roles came together to discuss and ideate on what wellbeing and mental health looks like for the community. In doing so, the intent was to build a discourse rooted in indigenous ethos, relations, histories and worldviews and highlight the different practices we engage in — traditional and the more ‘common’/’daily’ ways of enhancing well-being. 📺 The full video is available on YouTube Link: https://lnkd.in/grBKfTSk 📕 ‘Mental Health and Well-Being for Adivasis and Tribals’ is a report of these deliberations  and suggestions to build the mental health discourse and practice of and for Adivasis and Tribals. Link: https://lnkd.in/gFVXUrSS Video Credit: Eugene Soreng

Erwadi tragedy remains a stark reminder of the systemic lack of infrastructure and ignorance faced by persons with mental illnesses. It is crucial to address the deep-rooted stigma and taboo attached to mental illnesses and how these impact the lives and basic human rights of PwMI. At MHI, we stand in solidarity with communities that continue to face violence and discrimination while accessing health care system. #neverforget #livingwithmentalillness #mentalhealthsupport Correction: 2024 marks the 23rd anniversary of the Erwadi Tragedy.

#Friendship that transcends #caste, #class, and societal boundaries! True friends stand by each other, sharing both struggles and joys, and drawing #strength together through every challenge. In Pariyerum Perumal by Mari Selvaraj, this powerful bond is beautifully depicted. #HappyFriendshipDay🎈