B for Banyan

There are many things both good and bad that shape us into who we become as thinking adults. I was fortunate indeed that I came in contact with The Banyan at a particularly vulnerable time of my life.

Like the Tree from which it gets its name, this is a place which provides the shelter for the needy. This is an organisation which has changed my perspective towards life, love, happiness and actually everything that makes me who I am today. The Banyan is a NGO which takes care of mentally ill, destitute women by taking care of them, rehabilitating them and helping them in all ways to lead a normal and satisfying life.

I thought I’d just let you guys into the story about how I got involved in this wonderful organisation to show you how chance encounters can change lives. After my school in when I did not get into any medical college I had decided go into the accounting profession (that’s another story). Towards that end, I had started working as an Article Clerk in my dad’s friend’s Chartered Accountancy Firm. Around 6 months into my work I had come across the name The Banyan and my colleagues were auditing the accounts of this organisation. I was not directly involved but going through them I could understand that they were some kind of NGO, yet did not have any idea about the actual work that was being done. After the first year I had been elevated to the next level and I was handling the accounts of bigger companies and was handling them alone, and got to audit the accounts of The Banyan. Auditors as breed have perpetual doubts and constantly need clarifications and discussions with their Clinets; I confess I am no different. So, to banish away all my doubts, one day Vaishi (Vaishanvi) and Ashok landed up in my office with loads of papers to have the discussion with me. We finished the discussion but I still had no idea about what exactly they do in the organisation. In the evening after the meeting was over Vaishi and Ashok asked me just drop into their place so that I would get a better idea.

I went to their place the same evening, and was stunned! To be honest what ever I have seen of NGO’s before was expecting a huge campus with lots of space, lots of trees and lots of people. What I saw was completely the opposite. The first place I went was their office which was basically a 2 bedroom house on the ground floor. If I remember I met, Anu, Masylene, Ashok, then Vaishi and Vandana. I was seated at the reception when Anu started explaining me about what they do, how they do. I was skeptical (not sure whether I can use that word) but was not very clear whether I had really understood what they were doing. But then Anu said that I need to see the people who they were helping and it was another house (a house which people would normally think is fit enough only for a family of 3 or 4). When I entered the house I was received by a wide range of emotions on the faces of the inmates, most of them were smiling having seen a new face in their house, some were scared (understandable) and some mixed. I have never before seen so many people under one roof but the most important thing was all of them were happy and satisfied. I got talking to some of them and I could get what they have gone through and with the help of the social workers (my heroes really) I really understood what was happening (I’m man enough to admit that I did let some tears out, but my wife tells me that I’m a cry baby anyway). Once I was out of Adaikalam and back to the office I was introduced to the office staffs who take care of various departments like social work, fund raising, accounts, administration etc. All of them were sitting in the tiny place (to be honest my cubicle now is as big as the room they were operating from). There were computers, printers, papers, cupboards and more things crammed into that cubbyhole than I would have ever imagined possible. Once I was out of the place, I sat on my bike and was thinking for a bit about the everything I had just seen. I remembered some quote that I had read sometime ” It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can only do little – do what you can.” (It’s Sydney Smith, I just found out now who said this thanks to the miracle of Google).

From that day in 1996 I have been associated with this organisation. I started going to The Banyan from the very next day, everyday for almost an year or more. I started off doing odd accounts jobs, data entry jobs but it was fun and I really enjoyed my time. Went for movies almost every other night, and made lots and lots of friends (more than I had ever imagined possible, given my limited social skills at that time) . Every time I went back home from The Banyan, the kind of satisfaction I used to get was unbelievable. The sad fact is that because I now live and work in Bangalore I am not able to spend physical time, but I do try my best to do as and when any need arises.

In 2000, I finally got the chance of going for a rehab trip which took to me places where I would never have dreamt of going. It took me to Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, the experiences of the same would be shared with you in another blog. By the time I finished the trip I had gone through so many different experiences and emotions that many people would not have had in their entire life. In short it was eye opening, enriching and a completely satisfying trip.

There was a time when I finished my article clerk work and was looking out for a job. Was sitting at home not doing anything and I started going to Banyan everyday to volunteer for them, and they actually wanted to pay me for the same. It was so sweet of them, really

I may be called a sentimental sap after this, but I’d like to acknowledge a few things that I believe would never have happened if I had not gone there that evening. I met my future wife through one of my now best friend Madan Menon whom I met first time in The Banyan (whoo!! It sounds a lot like it does when two mallus get together and discuss family their family tree). I got my first proper job ( and am still working at the same place even now) because of Mrs. Madhuri Menon, Madan’s mom (I call her Aunts), she gave my CV to her friend through whom I got an interview. The two of the most important things in a persons life, a Good Wife and a Satisfying Job, both I have and I know it happened only after I got into contact with The Banyan (may be I would have got the same even if The Banyan was not a part of life, but I would like to believe it otherwise). But more than those two, the most important thing I got out from The Banyan are FRIENDS. I always believe that Friends are the most important people in a person’s life. Rabindranath Tagore said “Depth of friendship does not depend on length of acquaintance”.

It would be redundant to say that the Banyan changed my life in many immeasurable ways, big and small (and it would be superfluous indeed for me to ask all of you guys to please visit http://www.thebanyan.org/, and please go through what they really do and please do anything that you can do. Something is always better than nothing. And organisations like this can never have enough help). I’ve changed (for the better I believe) since I met Vandana, Vaishnavi and everyone at The Banyan and in some small way I’d like to believe that I made a difference to the world around me because of my association with them.

Jai Hind Go GreenPosted by Manoj at 2:33 AM

The Banyan BLIP Day

Armed with paintbrushes and cans of orange, yellow and green, Team Banyan was at work when I entered the room allotted for The Banyan within the premises of the Indian Institute of Mental Health in Chennai. The day had finally arrived – The Banyan BLIP Day!

The sprawling grounds of the institution houses one of the most neglected and marginalized sections of the society – the mentally ill. Within these same grounds, The Banyan will be operating from a room that we can now call our own.

When the Banyan exceeded its capacity for residential housing at its Adaikalam Centre located at Mogappair, the idea of Project Dial 100 – the Mental Health Helpline was conceived and it marked the start of a unique collaborative effort between The Banyan, the Chennai city Police and the Indian Institute of Mental Health. Emergency and distress calls regarding mentally ill and homeless people that are made on Dial 100 are routed by the Chennai city Police to The Banyan which helps rescue and admit the patients to the IMH round the clock – both male and female patients in this case.

The project has seen three years of completion but what was needed was an internal space to operate from within Indian Institute of Mental Health to invest our time, resources and energy into the Dial 100 project in a more efficient way. Our wish was fulfilled because of the efforts of Dr. Sathyanathan (Director of IMH).

While some were busy painting and cleaning the room, a few from the team chose to visit and interact with the residents. The Banyan room was next to the female wards, so we made a tour of the male wards. Blank faces amidst those that registered recognition of the senior staff members greeted us. Earlier one of female patients had tried to argue that she was a “mental case” and different from us all at the Banyan staff. But we convinced her that mental illness was just that – an illness, and all of us were prone to succumb to it but still had hope because it is curable.

Back at the site of action, our fumbling but zealous members of Team Banyan were joined by the residents who helped the former clean and paint the place. As yet another coat of orange paint was laid on the wall; the smile it brought upon the face of the patients was priceless. Now that’s something called team work!

Soumya Raju, Jr. Coordinator of Mental Health Helpline was extremely tired having started work at 8:10 am. She is one of the key people who will be in charge of running the show from The Banyan room in IMH. In her own words, the room had been cleaned and painted at the end of the day, but her biggest reward came in the form of a hug from Sudha, a patient at IMH.

Instead of saying “no” and closing the doors, we found a way to open several others. One of those doors now leads to The Banyan: Mental Health Helpline project office within the IMH premises.

Come, visit!

D. Kavitha

Communications Coordinator/PR Officer

MORE POWER TO THE PEOPLE

CAN A ‘TRANSFORMER’…TRANSFORM LIVES?

……..Well it just DID!! The transformer near The Banyan village in Kovalam, just managed to light up a few lives around it and it has been named The Banyan SS1( read: The Banyan Sub Station 1 )!!!
 
Few months ago when we had been to the Electricity Board office in Chengleput to request them to set up a transformer near the PC, as the electricity supply in PC and the nearby vicinity was just 70 VOLTS( very very low), The Superindentent Engineer looked at us very skeptically and asked us if we were sure of what we were saying.

The SE stated that there was no place in the entire nation that had electricity supply as low as 70 VOLTS. and he felt we were talking without knowing facts.

However the Assistant engineer from Kovalam explained on the existing situation of very low voltage in the area, and the SE swung his men into action.

From then on after repeated follow ups and reminders, today the transformer has come up in the PC site and now the voltage in the PC and the nearby vicinity is 240 VOLTS…!!

The residents of the PC had a pooja for the Transformer!! along with the EB guys who got it installed..

The lights in the PC are no longer dim and we never had a chance to run the generator, and most importantly, thanks to this effort of ours that the entire village around PC gets to glow a little brighter in the nights.
 
Just wanted to share with you on how an entire community has benefitted for a lifetime with the interest taken by The Banyan ( especially Ashok Sir)!!
 
 
Porkodi.PL

Sr. Co-ordinator, CMHP
(Community Mental Health Programme)

When In God We Trust

Courtesy: http://www.thehealthblog.net/mental-health/religious-activity-and-mental-health/

Religious Activity and Mental Health

Written by Charlie on January 23, 2008

While we’re on the subject of mental health, I ran across a blog post detailing the results of a study on the correlation between religious activity and mental health. The study was conducted by Joanna Maselko, Sc.D of Temple University. She says that “One’s lifetime pattern of religious service attendance can be related to psychiatric illness.” Interesting, isn’t it?The results of the study indicate that women who stop their religious activity are three times more likely to suffer from mental problems such as general anxiety and alcohol abuse or dependence. However, the results are not the same for the opposite sex. In fact, for men who have always been religiously active, stopping religious activity would make them less prone to depression and similar problems!

Maselko’s explanation for this disparity? “Women are simply more integrated into the social networks of their religious communities. When they stop attending religious services, they lose access to that network and all its potential benefits. Men may not be as integrated into the religious community in the first place and so may not suffer the negative consequences of leaving.”

I grew up in church. I went to Sunday School weekly as a kid – actually well way into my college years, when I attended the weekly services. To be honest, I haven’t attended church in ages. I suppose looking back, the study does apply to me. However, I am sure that there are those who may not have had the same experience. Nevertheless, I think this study and its findings are quite intriguing, don’t you think?

That’s entertainment, folks! – IMH Movie Review

Dear all….

On 04.01.2008 for the third time we have screened movie in Institute of Mental Health. This time it was in male ward 6. I thought to share my experience with you all.This time we have screened Tamil movie “UNNALE UNNALE”. Me, Cibin and Rajesh reached there by 1.30 P.M. In IMH 1.00 to 2.00 is lunch time for the residents. So all of them were busy in taking lunch. We three were busy in setting up the things. That time one of the resident named Kutti came there and he was observing the things happening.In the beginning of the movie there is one song in which girls were dancing and they are wearing “Micro mini Skirts”. By seeing that, Kutti felt embarrissed and he said ” Indha madhiri padam podadhiringa sir. Asingama irk. Ponnungalku thuniye illa.” The way he was telling was so funny. The thing i told this incident is, it was indicating how shy and innocent he is.

At 2 O’clock all the residents came and started enjoying the movie. I was sitting in the front and observing the reactions of the residents. All of them were so happy. In IMH there are people who are staying there for last 30 years!!!! Just imagine there feelings….. They have not gone to there home and not met there family members. 30 years is really a long period. Can u all just imagine whether that person knows to smile???? What u feel….????? “NO”??? U r wrong…….!!!! I saw that innocent smile on his face. He was enjoying the movie….

At the end i went and asked him how was the movie. He said ” Rumba nalla irindhadhu Madam. Ninge yellarume inge vandhu ippadi edhavathu activity panna nalla irku madam. inneku na rumba santhoshama irke.”

It was a good compliment for our work….

Thanks for reading this mail…..

Regards,
Soumya Raju
Jr. Co-ordinator
Rehab, Helpline

The Banyan Family’s Christmas Message

BRING LIGHT TO THE BANYAN’S 350 RESIDENTS THIS DIWALI

a thought

“There is nothing you cannot survive if you survive”

Robert Downey Jr, Academy award-nominated and Golden Globe winning actor, once drug-addict.

WE ARE NOT OUR DISEASE

does my mental health define me?

http://miquiecrew.wordpress.com/2007/09/20/138/  Thursday, September 20, 2007

Posted by miquie’s crew in health, personal.
Tags: depression, DID, dissociative disorder, eating disorders, health, mental health, MPD, people, personal, society
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NO, IT DOES NOT!!!

i have been diagnosed (mental health related) with: Depression (Major),  Bulimia (Eating Disorder), DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder) formerly known as MPD (Multiple Personality Disorder), PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder).

   

i have depression along with the rest of my health issues as a result of genetics. it doesn’t help that there was abuse involved in our life either, but the abuse doesn’t say that we were pre-dispositioned to getting depression. however, for the diagnoses of DID and PTSD, there had to have been something traumatic in my life – abuse.

 

my mental health is a part of me. i still have to live with it, day in and day out. i still have the thoughts every night of:

“Now i lay me down to sleep,
i pray the lord my soul to keep.
for if i die before i wake,
i pray the lord my soul to take.
… PLEASE let me die before i wake!”

we have said this poem, with the addition added on, from a young age.

last year we found out that my one uncle committed suicide on my father’s side, and i finally had proof that it is more genetically in our blood, than ever before. i know, we weren’t the only ones with depression. i was told when we were younger that an aunt of ours did try to commit suicide. don’t know how reliable that is, but that was something we heard a long time ago.

my depression is severe. when my depression hits … it hits hard to being beyond debilitating. where getting up hurts. where every night i say that prayer – just for the hope that we’ll be able to sleep and never wake up. and it is severe right now.

 

there is something else you should know about us …
we do have a life outside of our mental health issues. somewhere. somedays, it is hard to find life, but we do. on those special days, we do enjoy things like … writing, drawing, painting, doodling, TKD, playing with the dogs, going outside, being with CS, existing (somewhat), and trying new things.

we are human. we have feelings. we love people and things. we get hurt when someone says something nasty to/about us. often people don’t hear us for what we want, they only see the mental health issues. we want to try new things. we have bad days and we have good days. sometimes the bad days outnumber the good, but the good days are worth it. we like talking to friends. we like sharing our drawings, paintings and even our doodles. we like writing what we have been feeling and experiencing. we have more than one person internally and somedays it is a blast. other days, having the rest of the crew can be so frustrating.

see, we are human. please don’t judge us, for we have feelings. when you judge us, you are judging not only this body, but everyone else who has a mental health issue, and a good chance a family member …

we are more than our mental health. except that there has been this stigma throughout all of society that those with mental health issues are banned from any and all conversations of getting better and mental health.

 

the following is from CMHA-Saskatchewan:

“Mental illness is common. Statistics show that one in every five Canadians will have a mental health problem at some point in their lives.

Mental illnesses account for a large percentage of hospital stays every year. Yet, in spite of the fact that every Canadian knows someone who has been, or will be, affected by mental illness, few people know very much about it.

It is human nature to fear what we don’t understand. As such, mental illness is feared by many people and, unfortunately, still carries a stigma (a stigma is defined as a mark or sign of disgrace). Because of this stigma, many people hesitate to get help for a mental health problem for fear of being looked down upon. It is unfortunate that this happens because effective treatment exists for almost all mental illnesses. Worse, the stigma experienced by people with mental illness can be more destructive than the illness itself.

…

Words like “crazy”, “cuckoo”, “psycho”, “wacko” and “nutso” are just a few examples of words that keep the stigma of mental illness alive. These words belittle and offend people with mental health problems. Many of us use them without intending any harm. Just as we wouldn’t mock someone for having a physical illness like cancer or heart disease, it is cruel to make fun of someone with a mental illness.

…

People with mental disorders are, many times, not described accurately or realistically in the media. Movies, television and books often present people with mental illnesses as dangerous or unstable. News stories sometimes highlight mental illness to create a sensation in a news report, even if the mental illness is not relevant to the story. Advertisers use words like “crazy” to convey that their prices are unrealistically low and to suggest the consumer can take advantage of them.

You can help change the way mental illness is talked about in the media by speaking up.”

that is only in Canada. now imagine what the United States have for possible stats.

this ended up being a longer post than we expected. don’t know why it came up, but this has been brewing inside for a few days. usually when something like this comes up internally, we have to WRITE!!! so pardon us for letting this get to be sooooooooooooooooooooooo long …

 

Of new beginnings

(Pic: Courtesy The Hindu)

P. Jayendra

jayendra@realimage.com

The photograph in The Hindu captured it all – tree planting symbolising everything The Banyan is doing now (experimenting with multiple models).

 Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam’s expression speaking the same genuine and simple language of his words, Vaishnavi’s laughter defining her joy and Vandana’s clap applauding the people who have come together for the cause as well as calling their attention to the huge unfinished work ahead…