In a state-run juvenile adoption home in Hyderabad, a ten-year-old boy sits alone, avoiding all eye contact. Just months prior, a hopeful couple adopted him, eager to offer a new beginning. However, within weeks, he was returned, unable to adjust, withdrawn, and gripped by fear. For this child, it was a profound second rejection: first by the family he never knew, and then by the one he believed would finally offer permanence.
Stories like this form the powerful core of ‘Psychiatry At Your Doorstep’ (PAYD), an initiative by the Roshini Trust. Launched in 2022, PAYD is transforming community mental healthcare across Hyderabad and Secunderabad, bringing vital psychiatric treatment, counseling, and free medication directly to individuals and institutions that struggle to access care. This vital work is highlighted annually on World Mental Health Day, October 10th.
Shanthi, a trustee of Roshini, explains the genesis of the program: “We initially aimed to reach individuals who couldn’t come to us for help. We quickly realized the need was far more extensive, particularly within state homes and juvenile institutions, where deep-seated trauma often goes unheard and unaddressed.”
Comprehensive Psychological Support
Through a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Telangana’s Department of Women Development and Child Welfare, PAYD now operates within juvenile homes, child welfare centers, and adoption agencies throughout the city. Weekly, dedicated teams of clinical psychologists and psychiatrists from Roshini Trust conduct camps at these facilities. They address a wide spectrum of mental health concerns, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and deeply rooted issues like trauma, anger, and substance abuse.
At Shishu Vihar in Ameerpet, PAYD teams conduct essential psychological evaluations for children ranging from infants to adolescents awaiting adoption. These assessments are crucial and mandated by Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) guidelines. They help determine a child’s IQ, identify any disabilities, and assess their emotional readiness before being matched with a new family.
However, PAYD’s commitment extends beyond mere diagnosis. For older children, especially those between 10 and 14, Roshini facilitates group counseling sessions using engaging play therapy. This approach blends recreation with emotional learning, creating a safe space for expression. “We don’t just sit and talk,” Shanthi elaborates. “We play, we laugh, and in those moments, children begin to vocalize emotions they’ve suppressed for years.”
When adoption placements face challenges, Roshini’s counselors offer crucial intervention. “Many adoptive parents, despite coming from loving backgrounds, feel overwhelmed,” Shanthi notes. “They might struggle with a child who steals or uses aggressive language—behaviors often learned from years of street survival. We encourage them not to give up. Our role is to counsel both sides, helping to bridge that emotional divide.”
Healing Deep-Seated Trauma
The PAYD teams also provide vital support within juvenile homes in Saidabad and Gajularamaram. Here, boys and girls involved in minor offenses or cases under the POCSO Act receive comprehensive counseling and rehabilitation. Counsellors guide them to understand the consequences of their actions, identify emotional triggers, and develop future plans for education or vocational training post-release. These sessions have demonstrably led to significant behavioral improvements and reignited a sense of hope among the residents.
“Our psychologists often travel more than 40 kilometers to reach some of these homes,” Shanthi reveals. “We view this as a profound moral responsibility. The ultimate reward is looking into a child’s eyes and seeing a genuine smile for the first time after years of silence.”
Expanding Impact Through Key Partnerships
PAYD’s collaborative efforts with the Women’s Safety Wing of the Telangana Police and the Bharosa initiative have significantly broadened its reach. This partnership extends critical support to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Referrals from 32 police stations across Hyderabad ensure that these vulnerable individuals receive essential psychiatric evaluations, therapy, and necessary medication. On average, over 250 individuals benefit from these crucial services each month, marking a substantial impact on community well-being.