On the 22nd of February 2021, over 50 Village health workers were part of a mental health awareness program at Dausa. It was presided over by the CMHO, CMO and DMHP Team
On the 22nd of February 2021, over 50 Village health workers were part of a mental health awareness program at Dausa. It was presided over by the CMHO, CMO and DMHP Team
He feels that his career under Manas foundation that helps to build his professional skills and would lead him for a better career with every step.
He also having some other experience in the fields of computer knowledge of hardware networking and one year training in Charted accountant firm.
He is pursuing Master in Financial accounting from Ignou University, and graduated from veer kunvar Singh University.
He likes to travel and explore new places and reading articles, bike riding and sporty person.
Kartik Baluni works as a primary psychologist and takes PMD sessions. He conducts workshops for admitting inmates at POS MKT. After studying Masters in Applied psychology ( clinical psychology) from Jamia Millia Islamia, he has previously worked at Salaam baalak trust and Cheshire home.During his usual day at Manas, he counsels inmates, works towards their psychological and holistic development, performs crisis interventions and takes care of general well being.
She has completed her Masters in Psychology with specialization
in Clinical Psychology from the University of Delhi. Vaishnavi is currently stationed at Observation Home for Boys, Delhi Gate. Her interest lies in exploring the subjective experiences of the client and the context of the individual. She believes in the capacity of every individual to flourish and achieve the stage of self-actualization. Family, teachers and other significant caregivers are an essential part of the evaluation and treatment process. Thus, every individual needs to be evaluated in a social context. During her Masters she has worked extensively in the domain of research and building my theoretical base around areas of psychology of vulnerability, community mental health, psychopathology in children, assessment and diagnosis and health and wellbeing. Apart from the research experience, she has done several internships and training courses. Although major of the internships have helped me in knowing insiders of a therapeutic setting, the training course like Depression let’s talk, RECBT training and Emoaid have helped me to brush my skills and also practice self-care. She loves travelling, exploring and cherishing nature. Dogs are are her personal favourite and are close to my heart. She is passionate about serving the community, empowering individuals and contributing to their wellbeing.
Asmita Gaur is a Psychologist at Manas posted. She is a post graduate in Clinical Psychology from Amity University, Gurgaon and completed her Bachelor’s in Applied psychology from Ramanujan College, Delhi University.
She believes that every individual irrespective of circumstances and differences deserves a beautiful future. She finds her inspiration in life in the smallest of joys. “Hope, a way of life” is a message she loves to impart to the world. She is an inquisitive thinker and an avid reader.
At Children’s home for boys, Lajpat Nagar she closely works with children aged between 10 to 18. She focuses on helping children maintain their emotional and psychological well-being through workshops, Group and Individual sessions.
Kalpana assists the residents at Nirmal Chhaya to take care of their mental, emotional and social well-being through counseling and psycho-education. She also engages them in activities and conducts educational workshops. She has completed my Master’s from Ambedkar University in Psycho social clinical studies during which she worked with psychiatric patients to help make their daily routine activities engaging and nurturing their well-being at the rehabilitation. Afterwards, she worked with neuro-diverse children, training their teachers/parents to help achieve their developmental milestones, developing skills and enhancing ADLs. She believes in the possibility of finding and helping each other to nurture one’s potential and best qualities towards growth and realization, which is only possible through inclusion.
She feels that as a Psychologist, it is best to seek a balance of being technical, analytical and emotionally engaging, to comprehend the complexity of the human psyche.Besides Psychology, she is always curious to learn new things through reading, having meaningful conversations, or watching plays and movies.
Some of her interests and creative expression includes writing poetry or prose, making handicrafts, sketches and singing as well.
Agnieszka completed her Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Amity
University, Gurgaon. Currently posted at Nirmal Chhaya Complex working for Manas
Foundation, she believes in providing comfort and safe space to people with an emphasis for
holistic well being. She is a believer of individuality and wishes to help individuals understand
their own emotional, social and psychological problems.
Apart from working on mental health, she enjoys travel, sunsets, beaches and quiet time.
A post-graduate in Counselling Psychology from the University of Madras, she is very passionate about her profession and opting for the field of Counselling Psychology was the first stepping stone in her plan to help others so that they can help themselves. Being a good listener and naturally empathic in nature, she took to this profession organically and continues to use her natural skills to provide hope and relief her my clients.
Her main focus is on counselling the ones in need, especially children. She dreams to channel her compassion for animals into animal-assisted therapy as a more popular way of healing minds.
Madhavi joined Manas Foundation shortly after completing her Masters in Psychology from Ambedkar University Delhi. At Nirmal Chhaya, her work has primarily been with young women and children with a focus on creating safe and affirming spaces. As a feminist, she looks forward to integrate her political understandings with her practice of mental health.
Madhavi is a closet nerd, an avid reader and an occasional performer.
Nuriya strongly believes in the utmost importance of ones Mental well-being. Amidst completing her higher education she has gained experience across various fields of counselling; from crisis counselling, to working with children with special needs as well as patients in rehab centres. She is a keen learner and wants to contribute in the field of mental health by helping people achieve their mental well-being.
After having completed her Bachelors in Political Science, from University of Delhi (Indraprastha College for Women). She went on to pursue her Master's in Applied Psychology from Amity University, Noida. She strongly feels that Psychology as a subject as well as a profession continues to unravel the uniqueness of human mind and behaviour. Apart from Psychology, Nuriya has deep interest in writing poetry and is a dog lover.
Ashita holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Amity University, Noida and completed her Bachelor’s in Applied Psychology from Gargi College, Delhi University. She works as a Counselling Psychologist at Manas Foundation, currently posted at Nirmal Chhaya Complex, working with women and children who have experienced trauma with a history of sexual and physical violence, trafficking and family conflict. She also facilitates workshops as a part of the organisation’s mental health curriculum program across educational institutions.
She sees every person as a story and finds meaning in providing a compassionate space for sharing and growth, and actively supports people and animals of all kinds. The field of Mental health is her profession, avocation and recreation; however her simple pleasures include meaningful conversations with friends and family, photography and travelling.
Rohit is a qualified Rehabilitation Psychologist having license from Rehabilitation Council of India with four years of experience and is currently working at Manas Foundation.
He has completed his Masters in Psychology (specialisation in clinical and abnormal psychology) from CSJM University. He has been a part of various institutions, working towards healthier minds. Rohit possesses strong communication, interpersonal relationships and management skills and expertise in Counseling, Psychotherapy & Psychometric Testing across all age groups. He likes to travel hill to stations and enjoys nature. He also loves to work with children with special needs.
Parvathy is a clinical psychologist who works primarily with children affected by conflict in Chhattisgarh. She has worked in the North-Eastern part of India and her approach towards mental health is informed by both culture and gender. After completing her MPhil in Clinical Psychology from Dr. RML Hospital (Delhi), she went on to do a one year course on mental health and conflict from King’s College London. Books and photography are her cherished hobbies and she hopes to write something of value in the future.
Amala works for our Community Outreach Project for Children in residential care, in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh. She is a Masters graduate from Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai in Applied Psychology (Clinical). During this tenure she has worked with clinical population of different age groups as well as with settings like Family Court, where she has conducted both individual and group sessions along with testing/ assessment on field.
Gender and Education are her areas of interest. As a psychologist she believes that mental health is political and advocates to make therapy accessible and inclusive with an intersectional and rights-based approach to mental health. More than individual work, community as the point of change drives her passion for this field.
She considers Music and Mountains as her Muse!
She holds bachelors and masters degree in psychology from Ambedkar University Delhi and 1 year diploma in counselling, guidance and psychological interventions from Banaras Hindu University.
Vinita worked with children for three years in cry organisation and also have internship experience from RINPAS and KUTUMB organisation. Also she conducted workshops on CBT, personality enrichment, substance abuse in adolescent lives.
Uroosa a trainer on gender sensitisation at Manas Foundation since 2015. At Manas Foundation, she does trainings on gender sensitisation,road safety, stress, POSH trainings at work place. Her dedication at work entails Noida project and Mumbai Project on women safety and gender sensitisation. Post graduated in Psychology from Aligarh Muslim University in the year 2006 and bagged a P.G. Diploma in counseling psychology in the year 2007 from Jamia Millia Islamia, Uroosa has started her career as a counselor in 2007 in mental health teamat SalaamBaalak trust and centre for equity studies NGO.
she has also worked as a school counselor in Kendriya Vidyalaya in the year 2014 before joining Manas Foundation.
she has keen interest in travelling and exploring nature.
One of her primary areas of focus is to raise awareness of gender sensitisation and creating safer zones in society for better living. She is very hopeful that young generation will play a good role in building a good society, a society where there is no place for stereo type of thinking extremism, religious biasness. She wants to put her efforts to maximum to see a change in society where there is equality, respect for women and opportunities for all.
Shailendra works with Manas as one of the tariners involved in the gender sensitization training programme in Delhi NCR, providing training sessions to public transport drivers. He has learned and is constantly learning so many things which help him become a better human being at a professional level as well as personal level. Before working as a trainer, he worked in couple of organizations as a project coordinator. Shailendera has done field projects in Karnataka, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh and he holds M.A. in Development from Azim Premji University, Bangalore.
He like to watch web series, movies, reading and writing, attend seminars, talk shows, events and he also likes to have discussions on intersectional feminism, society, culture, politics, media, satire etc.
Tekchand sharma is a trainer at Manas Foundation, attached to the programme “Barabari ki Dagar, Surakshit Safar’, to provide Gender Sensitization training to commercial drivers in Delhi NCR. He loves to traveling, talking to people & spending time with his family. He worked with many organization in different states on different issue like HIV/AIDS, woman empowerment , child care and FSW (Female sex workers) at grass rout level.
At Manas foundation he get different experiences, he also feel working with a team where everyone appreciate each other’s efforts & finds it a comfortable place to work keeps all motivated.
A part of the ‘Barabari ki Dagar, Surakshit Safar’ team, Ratika is involved in conducting Gender Sensitization Trainings. She is also involved in capacity building of the new hires in the team from time to time. Her responsibilities include liaison with Government officials for the implementation of projects.
Prior to Manas, she worked with a Special Schools for Children with disabilities and Care Homes for Orphan Kids. She has completed her masters in Management in NGO from Jamia Milia Islamia and in Developmental Therapy from School of Rehabilitation Science, AADI.
Beyond her work, she likes travelling and is always ready to explore new places. She enjoys spending time with her daughter and watching movies.
Teena is a Senior Trainer in ‘Barabari ki Dagar… Surakshit Safar’ Programme, Teena’s role is to liaison with the different government departments that Manas is working in collaboration with the program. She’s also involved in the formulation of training modules, reports and data analysis of the project.
Prior to Manas, she’s worked with the KD Singh Foundation and other NGOs in providing legal, medical and rehabilitation assistance to the survivors of sexual assault cases. Teena’s educational qualification includes LLB, a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and Double Masters in Hindi and Sanskrit.
Beyond her work, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, loves gardening and trying out new recipes.
Komal holds a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from South Campus, University of Delhi and bachelor’s in Applied Psychology from Gargi College, University of Delhi.
She’s working as Psychologist at Manas Foundation and currently posted at Nirmal Chaya. She has worked with at risk communities across socio-economic spectrum and has experience dealing with mental health issues.
Komal believes that life is all about taking chances, trying new things, making mistakes and learning from it. She loves listening to music, travelling and spending time with loved ones.
Palak Gidwani is a psychologist who has been dealing with individuals suffering from psychological problems. She chose this profession as she has always been interested and keen on helping individuals deal with their problems. She believes that “A healthy mind resides in a healthy body”, so according to her taking care of one’s mental health is very important for an individual to be fully functional. She has worked as a school counselor and also interned at various prestigious Institutions. Palak has completed her advance diploma in counselling psychology from Jamia Millia Islamia, masters in clinical psychology from University of Jammu and bachelors from Jamia Millia Islamia . Apart from the professional interest she enjoys travelling and spending time with family and friends.
She is a post graduate in Clinical Psychology from Symbiosis Pune. Debanjana is very passionate towards mental health and is looking forward to making lives better through working the best way possible in the respective sector, a national level athlete at the same time, therefore also a sport and fitness fanatic. She is a great listener, full of empathy and a detail oriented human being.
Bhumit works as an admin to various programmes at Manas Foundation – the OPD services and the gender based training programme. He is currently pursuing Masters in Social Work and has previous education qualification of stenography Hindi (NCVT) and Diploma in ADFA- Advanced Diploma in Financial Application. Bhumit has lived his interest in politics; he joined the National Student Union of India in June 2016 and served in NSUI as District Faridabad Coordinator and South Zone Election Incharge in DUSU 2017. During this journey, he secured eminent positions as being a President in Faridabad Loksabha constituency for Aam Aadmi Party yuva Morcha in 2018 and District General secretary at BJYM in June 2019. He manages his time efficiently and excels at problem solving. He is a sportsperson and often enjoys freestyle wrestling. He is a junior weight champion (57 Kg) in Faridabad District in 2015 and also engages in swimming, cricket, shooting and horse riding.
He is a key member of the team, ‘Barabari ki Dagar, Surakshit Safar’, to provide Gender Sensitization training to commercial drivers in Delhi NCR. He is involved in multiple aspects of the programme right from its start. Prior to Manas, Pramod worked with Unique Psychological Services, Subharti Medical College, Apollo Hospitals and HCR Institute as a Psychologist and Special Educator. He has a Master’s Degree in Psychology from VBSPU, Jaunpur and P.G. Diploma in Guidance and Counselling from Davi Ahilya Viswavidyalaya, Indore.
Outside of the office, he likes to work with children with special needs and enjoys singing songs, bhajans and playing the Dhol.
Pankhuri joined Manas Foundation after completing her Masters in Social Work from Delhi School of Social Work. She carries out the content creation and coordination for social media platforms. She has previously managed the Daughters of Delhi Scholarship Program at Manas wherein she carried out vendor management, coordination and worked closely with daughters of Delhi, to build their aspirations and maximize their potential. She thoroughly enjoys creating content for the gender domain as well as writes and administers radio campaigns. Pankhuri is an inquisitive researcher and keenly participates in gender based research projects. Pankhuri with her eclectic approach is actively involved in the school-based mental health program. She is an inter-sectional feminist who is deeply spiritual and takes personal as political. She likes philosophy, questioning, banters, art and expressing.
Nitika Kimothi is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist. She has completed her Mphil from Gwalior Mental hospital. At Manas, she works as a Clinical Psychologist handling cases of mental disorder working with people across all age groups. She provides a safe space and with empathetic understanding of people. Apart from psychology she loves to travel and dancing is her therapy.
Neha Rao is a Clinical Psychologist registered with Rehabilitation Council of India, working with individuals with mental health concerns to drive effective outcomes by using eclectic approaches to facilitate client’s awareness and emotional growth. Neha has completed M. Phil (Clinical Psychology) degree from Amity University, Gurgaon. She is also an international practitioner for Solution focused Therapy.
At Manas, At Manas, Neha is a program coordinator for the Community Mental Health Program at Dausa, Rajasthan and Kumaon, Uttarakhand.
She graduated from Armed Forces Medical College in 1967. Her Post-Graduate degrees include Diplomain Aerospace Medicine from Bangalore University in 1975, MSC (Defence Sciences) from Madras University in 1978, MD Physiology from Pune University in 1984 and PhD in High Altitude Physiology in1995.
She was born at the temple town of Tirupati, in a pious South Indian, middle-class family rooted deeply in its values, customs, and traditions. Before she was selected to the Armed Forces Medical College, she had dropped out of a tailoring school, and then was the first to change from Humanities to Science stream. During her four decades in uniform, she contributed her knowledge and skills during 1971 Indo-Pak war and 1999 Kargil war. She worked extensively in the field of Aerospace Medicine for selecting pilots, and for improving their flying skills with aeromedical training. This involved research in the field of hypoxia and G-stress, as well as designing flying clothing to enhance the pilot’s flying skills. She conducted extensive research in high altitudes to prevent mountain sickness in Armed Forces personnel and formulated a new acclimatisation schedule. She conducted research in the icy Arctic during winter months, to devise measures to improve the fighting capability of Armed Forces personnel when exposed to extreme cold. She retired as Director General Medical Services (Indian Air Force) in 2006. Post retirement, she interacted with Government and Non- Governmental agencies to conduct health camps. Through Telemedicine, she is providing healthcare to patients belonging to economically weaker sections in far flung areas in eastern UP. She perceived the importance of mental health issues while delivering these services and equipped herself with the necessary knowledge and skills. She completed a Certificate Course in Adolescent Health and Counselling in 2015.
As a member of Advisory board of mental unit of Nirmal Chaya complex and other homes for children in need of care and protection and in conflict with law. Her help in conceptualising reform and
rehabilitation strategies for women and girls and in changing Manas Foundation gender sensitization programme for commercial drivers in Delhi and NCR is invaluable. She has helped many young girls by
educating them. During her innumerable interviews, she has stressed on women’s education and empowerment with her personal example.
She has many Firsts to her credit.
– She and her husband are the first couple in uniform to be decorated with Vishisht Seva Medal on the same day at the same Investiture parade in 1973.
– First lady Aerospace Medicine specialist in India.
– First Lady Officer to have successfully completed Defence Services Staff College.
– First to conduct research in the icy Arctic during winter of 1989-90. For her exceptional service, she has been conferred with Presidential awards: Param Vishisht Seva Medal (2006) and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (2002). She was conferred ‘Padma Shri’ in the year 2020 in recognition of exceptional and distinguished service in the field of Medicine. Work Life balance
– Her advice to women: Do not neglect work as well as family. While working, remember work and do your duties to your best. At home spend maximum time with family. Time management is very essential.
Ms. Abha Ekka has 20 years of professional experience in the social development sector. She has worked at international level on multi country programmes and managing teams in Africa and Asia. She also comes with academic experience. She was a faculty member with Xaviers Institute of Social Service teaching Post Graduate students of Rural Development on Gender, Women and Children issues and project management for over 5 years.
She has been awarded with Leadership Development Mechanism Fellowship by the Institute of International Education, San Francisco, U.S.A. She has received her education from Delhi University and
trained in social development, Gender and Reproductive Health from University of Melbourne. She has worked extensively on issues of reproductive health and rights and livelihood programmes focusing
women and girl’s rights.
Manish holds a degree of MSW in Mental Health from TISS, Mumbai and has also completed his M.Phil degree in Psychiatric Social Work from Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi. He has more than four years of experience in clinical, hospital and school setting. He also have done internship from institutions like RINPAS, World Vision, etc.
He has experiences working with adults, children and adolescents in the areas of education, advocacy, counselling (both individual and group) & guidance, welfare & development, mental health, psychosocial assessment, care and protection. He also has illustrious experience in research, report writing and documentation, conducting workshops, training programs. As an aspirant of higher education and his area of interest is to become a mental health professional he is seeking my career in the mental health field.
His aim is to promote positive mental health among people in the society. He is young, dynamic and believes in “No Health without Mental Health”.
Vibhuti completed her Masters in Psychology from University of Delhi. Currently stationed at Children Home for Boys, Lajpat Nagar, she works with adolescent children to help them deal with mental distress, current stressors, interpersonal concerns, career enhancement and to promoteoverall mental well being. She also conducts parent counselling sessions to better understand the needs of the children. She engages in psycho-educating children residing at the institution along with conducting workshops around mental well being and adjustment.
She believes in the power of talk therapy, being a good listener and just being there. She believes that change starts from within & that it takes time but it’s all worth it. She loves to meet and know new people. She is also true dog lover who believes that as dog’s unconditional love, humanity can also shower positivity and happiness by realising the positives in each other.
Suman has done her bachelors in psychology from Lady Shri Ram College For Women, Delhi
University and got a masters degree in Applied psychology (specialisation in counseling psychology) from TISS, Mumbai. During her masters she has the exposure to work with diverse populations with different stakeholders. She has the experience of working with adolescents, women centered organisation, geriatric setting and de-addiction centre.
She believes in a non-discriminating, supportive community living, empowering people to introspect and bring about a change in lifestyle. Her special emphasis is on working for the empowerment of women, chiefly by creating awareness in the society about women's issues and improving the lives of women through education, healthcare and gender equality.
At Nirmal Chhaya she conducts Individual and Group counselling sessions. She also organizes different workshops with a therapeutic touch based on the mental health needs of the residents of the Institution. Suman is a sports person and loves writing poems. Her everyday life’s motivational quote is “Decisions Determine Destiny”.
Deenu completed his graduation from Rajasthan college Jaipur and MA Clinical Psychology from St. Wilfred PG collage Jaipur, Rajasthan University. He has also completed a 1 year diploma in guidance and counselling and 1 year of internship from Jaipur under the Psychiatrics DR. Anil tambi. Deenu is currently working in CAMP Dausa Office as a Psychologist.
Deenu enjoys community based interactions and awareness camps. He is enthusiastic to learn and grow in the field of mental health and is always ready to learn and experience new things.
A senior trainer, Published Poet and writer. She is a prominent part of the programme Barabari ki Daggar, Surakshit Safar and conducts gender sensitization training for the commercial driver(Delhi NCR), Delhi Police, Marshall in Delhi. She is also involved in project development and implementation of the same through various and impactful ideas and great enthusiasm. She is a part of this organization since 2014 and dedicatedly works to support the idea of gender equality and she believes that we can achieve equality if all of us gets sensitive towards the issue of gender equality. Though it is going to take some time but can be achieved through the program gender sensitization.
She has also worked for Dainik Bhaskar and Pratham Pravakta as a reporter. She was also involved in career counseling for Deepalya.
Her perception about lives and challenges of today’s women changed while working for a daily talk show called Nari. Namrata has a Master’s Degree in Philosophy and a diploma in Mass Communications and a basic career counselling course.
Achyuta Nanda is an experienced and senior trainer of Manas Foundation, working for Building Bond Programme from the last six years. Apart from training he is coordinating at Burari Training center and handling of Safe Gaadi app.
Achyuta Nanda has done his Bachelor and Master of Social Work and has worked with other organizations like Gram Vikas, Deepalaya, and FHFI. He has previously worked in profiles such as worked there as Co-coordinator, counselor, and researcher.
He believes in gender-based equality and that is why gender sensitization programme is also his passion. Recently he attended the national level TOT on gender justice and masculinity and has also became a national level trainer under Eksaath Abhiyan. He is very creative and always thinking about new ideas. Apart from his profession he loves to read the news and play badminton.
An undergraduate from Delhi University, NIMHANS alumni with an MPhil. in Medical and Social Psychology and an Ashoka Fellow. She founded a citizen organization, Manas Foundation [2000], to take mental health work into the broader community, reaching out to marginalized and resource-poor segments, with a critical focus on women and children.
In 2007, Monica was awarded the prestigious Ashoka Fellowship in recognition of the inherent innovation in Manas Foundation’s approach towards plugging-in and co-creating mental health service delivery, generating awareness/sensitization as well as executing interventions for recovery and reform. She is also the recipient of The EdelGive: Social Innovation Award for her work with underprivileged women, using models of psycho-social care and rehabilitation. She serves on several significant boards such as the Taskforce for Women Safety under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble Lt. Governer, as an external committee members for the Department of Women and Child Development [DWCD], a member of the State Child Protection Society and is a member of the governing body of the Integrated Child Protection Scheme [ICPS]. Through her years of innovating, training and creating the space and receptivity of mental health in the communities, she has worked with a plethora of afflicted populations like children and women afflicted with sexual/emotional/physical abuse and violence, juveniles in conflict with the law, children trafficked for labor and sex work, reproductive and child healthcare clinics as well as with the other NGO and GO stakeholders, to build capacity and enhance the mental health taskforces. She has also successfully partnered with the NMHP in Rajasthan and augmenting the DMHP in Dausa district for greater acceptance, reach and impact of mental health care in the district. With such a diverse repertoire of skills and knowledge, she has endeavoured to create person-centric and system-centric change agents who are leading the change in mental health landscape of India.
Monica is in continuous dialogue with the government, CSOs, educational institutes and corporate to co-create a system that encapsulates a multi-tiered model of intervention on the pillars of positive-preventive-promotive methods in mental health care; to illicit awareness about mental health needs as well as management and alleviation of mental health disorders with a psycho-social approach. With her vision to inform and impact policy so as to bridge the gap between the service-provision and service-implementation, she has been instrumental in defining the guidelines for mental health needs and child care and protection policies for the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights [DCPCR] and also coauthored a report on Women’s safety in National Capital Territory of Delhi highlighting the mental health aspects of the same.
A psychologist by choice and wanderer by nature, Naveen Kumar is one of the founding trustees of Manas. He has over 20 years of experience in providing mental health inputs to individuals and disadvantaged groups through his clinical practice and community outreach projects. He has been instrumental in conceiving the idea and process behind the key target interventions implemented by Manas to promote well-being and positivity for many vulnerable and volatile communities.
Naveen’s association as alumni of IMT Ghaziabad and Campus Law Faculty, Delhi University helped him build his understanding of the corporate and legal worlds. As his core area of interest, this experience enables him to effectively provide mental health care required for issues related to work situations, environmental stress and personal and professional relationships.
His work is highly appreciated and recognised in the field of individual therapy, especially with marital problems, and resistant psychological issues of obsessions and addictions. He switched to psychology in 2000 and completed his Masters and training as a psychologist to follow his keen interest in human behaviour and the principles governing it.
A technical specialist on gender justice and gender based violence, Rashmi has worked with various International and local social development organisations for almost 19 years. Her work has entailed programme development, programme implementation and donor management. Apart from this developing technical capacity of the teams on issues of gender and GBV is another core skill and experience, which she possess.
Previously at CARE India, as the Executive Director, Gender Equity and Diversity her core responsibility was to lead the process of developing and implementing organisational approach to integrate gender equity and diversity in thematic interventions on health, education, livelihood and disaster response and develop and implement strategies to integrate gender and diversity within all organisational process, practices and policies.
Additionally she has worked with other leading development organisations like Oxfam GB, Action Aid on leadership roles to design and implement project focussed on gender (standalone and mainstream)
At Manas Rashmi is the technical consultant on gender based initiatives and informs the process of proposal development, donor management and team capacity building of some of the key interventions of the organization. Her keen interest in mental health has also over time led her to bring structure and impact mechanisms to Manas’s community based mental health care programmes thereby adding more value to those intervenions.
Dr. Banerjee received his training in psychiatry (DPM and MD) from NIMHANS, Bangalore and AIIMS, New Delhi. As a practicing psychiatrist over the last 20 years, his interest has been in the mind-brain and mind-body interfaces that underlie all psychiatric disorders.
Just as the mind is seated in the brain, the bran too is one with the body. Physical and brain illnesses are often intertwined. These observations have shaped his interventions that integrate psychiatry both with psychology as well as with the other medical specialties, especially the neurosciences.
While a clinic-based practice addressed the needs of the individual patient, it is clear that each individual is a part of a larger community. In 2000, Dr. Banerjee along with Monica founded Manas to give shape to their shared vision of improving mental health in the community.
Mental health services are virtually non-existent in the remote and rural areas of the country, where they are needed the most. Through various community health projects, Dr. Banerjee is working with these under-served populations. His fascination with the breath-taking cultural and natural landscapes of India takes him to magical places. He returns from these experiences enriched and better able to understand the communities he works with.