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International Journal of Mental Health Systems

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Open Access 01-12-2017 | Case study

Promoting wellbeing and improving access to mental health care through community champions in rural India: the Atmiyata intervention approach

Authors: Laura Shields-Zeeman, Soumitra Pathare, Bethany Hipple Walters, Nandita Kapadia-Kundu, Kaustubh Joag

Published in: International Journal of Mental Health Systems | Issue 1/2017

Abstract

Background

There are limited accounts of community-based interventions for reducing distress or providing support for people with common mental disorders (CMDs) in low and middle-income countries. The recently implemented Atmiyata programme is one such community-based mental health intervention focused on promoting wellness and reducing distress through community volunteers in a rural area in the state of Maharashtra, India.

Case presentation

This case study describes the content and the process of implementation of Atmiyata and how community volunteers were trained to become Atmiyata champions and mitras (friends). The Atmiyata programme trained Atmiyata champions to provide support and basic counselling to community members with common mental health disorders, facilitate access to mental health care and social benefits, improve community awareness of mental health issues, and to promote well-being. Challenges to implementation included logistical challenges (difficult terrain and weather conditions at the implementation site), content-related challenges (securing social welfare benefits for people with CMDs), and partnership challenges (turnover of public health workers involved in referral chain, resistance from public sector mental health specialists).

Conclusions

The case study serves as an example for how such a model can be sustained over time at low cost. The next steps of the programme include evaluation of the impact of the Atmiyata intervention through a pre-post study and adapting the intervention for further scale-up in other settings in India.

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Title: Promoting wellbeing and improving access to mental health care through community champions in rural India: the Atmiyata intervention approach
Authors: Laura Shields-Zeeman
Soumitra Pathare
Bethany Hipple Walters
Nandita Kapadia-Kundu
Kaustubh Joag
Publication date: 01-12-2017
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: International Journal of Mental Health Systems / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1752-4458
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-016-0113-3

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Promoting wellbeing and improving access to mental health care through community champions in rural India: the Atmiyata intervention approach

Abstract

Background

Case presentation

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Case presentation

Conclusions

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