Its name – Prafulta – reflects a mission that remains as relevant as ever: to accompany every person so that they may rediscover wellbeing, confidence and hope. From a deeply Salesian perspective, the centre combines professionalism, personalised attention and holistic care, placing at the centre those who face the greatest difficulties in accessing mental health services.
For almost 30 years, the centre has offered support to hundreds of thousands of people through psychological and psychiatric counselling, occupational therapy, personalised educational programmes, psychometric testing and career guidance. Its work goes beyond individual care, encompassing wide-ranging prevention and education initiatives. Every year, the centre organises over 800 workshops and more than a dozen formation programmes for mental health professionals and other stakeholders. These activities reach around 50,000 people, including children, adolescents, parents, teachers and other professionals.
Building self-esteem and confidence among slum dwellers
One of the major achievements of “Prafulta” is that it has brought mental health into contexts where it has long been a taboo or neglected issue. In slums and low-income communities, the centre runs outreach initiatives that enable women, adolescents and families to talk about their difficulties, build their self-esteem and find the tools to cope with situations of pain, anxiety, insecurity or exclusion.
In the Subhash Nagar Basti project, the centre’s counsellors organise weekly group sessions for women and adolescents. These are safe spaces where participants can express themselves freely, build their resilience and improve their personal and family relationships. Through art, play, movement and dialogue, psycho-educational topics related to mental health and child development are also addressed. Where necessary, this support is supplemented by individual counselling.
Another particularly significant initiative is the Macramé pe Charcha project, which combines therapy and craftwork. Every week, a psychotherapist who is an expert in macramé (the art of creating fabrics using decorative hand-made knots, without the use of needles or machinery) works with women from vulnerable communities as they work with their hands and discuss self-esteem, relationships, parenting and self-care. The sale of the products they make provides a small financial income, but, above all, it becomes an opportunity to regain confidence, independence and dignity.
The work of “Prafulta” also reaches rural communities with limited access to specialist services. In the village of Aghai, located about 90 kilometres from Mumbai, the centre runs a weekly clinic in collaboration with the “The Banyan” NGO, based in Chennai. There, around 50 people regularly receive free psychiatric consultations, psychological support and basic medication.
Salesian missionaries bring psychological support to resource-poor areas
This project has made it possible to bring qualified care to an area with very few mental health resources. Furthermore, the support provided by social workers ensures continuity, support for staff and formation to reduce the stigma that afflicts many people with psychological or psychiatric problems.
In addition to these activities, the “Prafulta” Centre promotes other initiatives such as Khabi Khushi Khabi Gham Mela, an annual fair for children and families from the slums. Also worth mentioning are the Saathi Programme, which supports young people leaving the Dominic Savio orphanage as they transition into adulthood; and the Scuole Sorridenti Project, which promotes resilience, self-awareness and emotional skills in state schools.
From India, the Centre keeps alive the Salesian commitment to being close to those most in need. Its work demonstrates that mental health is also a matter of dignity, inclusion and hope for the poorest and most vulnerable people.
Source: Misiones Salesianas – https://misionessalesianas.org/noticias/prafulta-india-respuesta-salesiana-salud-mental-jovenes-mujeres-vulnerables-2805/
