In the picturesque landscapes of Assam, where the serenity of nature often masks the silent struggles of its people, a silent revolution is underway. Dr. Sunil Kaul, a beacon of compassion and change, stands at the forefront of this movement, steering the Mental Illness Treatment Alliance (MITA) towards a brighter, stigma-free future for those grappling with mental health issues.
Assam faced a severe gap in mental healthcare and Dr. Sunil Kaul, the visionary founder of MITA, witnessed this void firsthand. Fueled by his own experiences with ULFA violence and a deep-rooted commitment to contribute positively to his homeland, he embarked on a mission to bring affordable mental healthcare to the rural corners of Northeast India.
The journey began in 2007, through a collaboration with Jennifer Liang and with the support of the Late Ravindranath Upadhyay, a respected Gandhian figure with a wealth of experience in Assam's remote villages. MITA, which also translates to 'friend' in Assamese, emerged as a friend to those in need.
Beginning its noble quest in locations where medical care was virtually nonexistent, the initiative gained momentum when Dr. Kaul learned that many mentally ill patients were travelling from his own area to Guwahati for treatment. The realisation that his community was in dire need of mental health support spurred the inception of MITA's first camp. From humble beginnings with 20 patients, the camp's success saw MITA rapidly expand, now serving approximately 1,500 mental health patients every month.
Under Dr. Kaul's leadership, MITA's commitment to affordable mental healthcare became evident in its unique approach. The organisation adopted a self-sustaining model, charging patients a nominal fee of Rs 300 per month. This fee not only covered medicines but also ensured financial stability for the organisation, allowing them to continue their impactful work.
MITA's impact extends far beyond providing medical treatment. Recognizing the need for comprehensive support, MITA designed an app that allows social workers to record symptoms, facilitating accurate diagnosis and treatment. Through education and awareness, MITA has dismantled the stigma surrounding mental illness in the communities it serves. Already, the organisation has reached out to approximately 25,000 patients. In an ambitious move towards broader outreach, MITA aims to organise around 100 camps within the northeast in the next few years. Moreover, the organisation has successfully expanded its initiatives to Bihar.
MITA's commitment to the diverse linguistic landscape (the northeast boasts of over 186 spoken languages) is also evident in its efforts to communicate effectively with patients. Through monthly treatments, counselling, and low-cost camps, MITA has emerged as a lifeline for those dealing with mental health challenges. This hasn't just bridged the mental health gap in Assam, but also sown the seeds of social change.
MITA's journey is an inspiring tale of resilience, compassion, and the transformative power of community-led initiatives in creating healing, safety and resilience even amongst communities that have suffered long bouts of communal violence and the many traumas associated with it.
To honour stories like Dr. Sunil Kaul and MITA, AU Small Finance Bank presents Badlaav Humse Hai Season 2, in association with Network18. Just like the first season, Season 2 celebrates 25 stories that showcase changemakers whose unsung work has helped carve out cultural identities for communities, lifted them out of poverty; created access where only barriers existed; shown communities how to work with nature to create true sustainability; changed hearts and minds about othered communities; changed the lives of many through economic, social or educational empowerment, and much, much more.
Watch Season 2 of Badlaav Humse Hai for more stories like this one. You may also catch up on all the wonderful stories from Season 1.
Moneycontrol Journalists were not involved in the creation of the article.
Advertisement
