The Banyan is a non-profit organization in Chennai that provides comprehensive services to homeless women with mental health issues. It was founded by Vandana Gopikumar and Vaishnavi Jagadheesan after witnessing a mentally ill woman who was unable to get proper care at local institutions. The Banyan works with government agencies and provides medical care, social support, vocational training, and mental health services. It has grown over the years and now houses over 200 women, employing staff and volunteers to rehabilitate and reintegrate women into society through treatment and skills development. The Banyan utilizes various funding sources including government grants and donations to carry out its important work addressing mental healthcare.

2.  The Banyan, a non government voluntary organization in
Chennai.
 The Banyan has been providing medical care, social
interventions, vocational training and comprehensive mental
health services to homeless women with mental health issues
 In order to work effectively, they had tied up with the city
police, state government and Institute of Mental Health for
treatment.

3.  Vandana and Vaishnavi studying in Women’s Christian College in Chennai once
saw a mentally ill women in mid 30s, half naked, badly bruised and running back
and forth.
 Both decided to help the women so they took her to nearby medical health
institution but the institution was not ready to admit the woman.
 After visiting few places, they got her admitted in an institution but the next day
they found, the women left the place and nobody knew where she went.
 This incident made the duo to think and to do something for the protection and
betterment of such women and this instance was the reason of birth of
The Banyan.

4.  Vandana and Vaishnavi, both were from
- Well to do families
- Graduated from Women’s Christian College
 Vandana went to finish her MSW from the Madras School of
Social Work.
 Vaishnavi perused MBA
 Unrelenting compassion
 Motto – “ I exist therefore, I am”

5. Support from Family
Society
Accommodation
Raising Funds
Pay Structure

6.  Aim: To see their inmates getting rehabilitated and returning to society.
 Government Assistance: 6.5 grounds of land under the Mogappair Eri Scheme
in Mogappair West, Chennai.
 Central Governement: 18 lakh every year under the Swadha Scheme to sustain
200 beneficiaries.
 By April 2001: 24,000 sq. ft. area with large dormitories.
 Government of Japan: Japan Grassroots Assistance Scheme
 Awareness program to sensitize people of problem of mental illness.

7.  The Banyan grew in size as year passed by
 More number of inmates meant more need of resources
 Tapping all resources
 Handful generous soul’s donations
EXHIBIT 1 AND 2
74%
26%
Revenue Source
Donations
Government grants
and income from in-
house programmes

8. Bringing Celebrities to support their cause
Fund Raising
Media Support
Signature Campaigns and Programmes

9. The Banyan Family
comprised of
• 11 Trustees
• 80 Full time and part
time resident
employees working day
and night
• 2 Psychiatrist
• 2 General Physicians
• 125 Volunteers with
significant expertise and
experience in their
respective field
It also provided
• Statutory Benefits
• Leave
• Motivation
• Voluntary invitation
• Training
• Proper Treatment
• Exhibit - 4

10. Story of Viji
Story of Jaya
Story of Bhanu
Story of Zabina

11. 24 hour hotline
Fully equipped residential crisis intervention
center
Innovation group home
Rural outreach programe
Legal aid clinic
Lobbying and advocacy

12. Starting up of a public health
center
Opening a resource training
center
Shifting of long stay home
Getting into social research

13. ‘The Banyan’ is an ideal model to address mental health problems in
a developing country like India. It covers all the aspects of care
including prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and follow up.
The USP of this model :-
 Empowerment of mentally ill people by providing vocational
training and building their confidence to get back to their normal
life.
 Private institutions alone cannot provide treatment thus utilizing
existing government infrastructure in a right manner to solve this
problem.

14. Website - http://www.thebanyan.org/

15. Thank You

16. •10TH October
•World Mental Health Day
•A DAY FOR GLOBAL MENTAL
HEALTH EDUCATION AND
AWARENESS