White Swan Foundation for Mental Health has announced its launch as a not-for-profit organisation that will deliver information services on mental health to the people.
White Swan Foundation‘s mission is to ‘deliver information services for mental health and well being’. The not-for-profit organisation is founded by several Mindtree founders with initial support from two of its investors.
White Swan Foundation chairman Subroto Bagchi said mental healthcare sector in India today faces numerous challenges. More than 20 per cent of Indians suffer from one or other form of mental health conditions. For a population of 1.2 billion people, India has only 4,500 psychiatrists. Even as mental health patients and their caregivers face issues related to lack of infrastructure, they also have to struggle with other problems such as widespread ignorance and deep-rooted social stigma, which lead them to a state of self-denial.
Partnership with NIMHANS
In order to create and publish high quality content that keeps in mind the diverse needs of people, the foundation has entered into a partnership with National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS). As part of the partnership, the foundation will get access to the rich repository of knowledge on mental health that the coveted institution and its distinguished doctors are in possession.
Information Repository
In its first phase, White Swan Foundation will deliver high-quality content through a portal in multiple languages to the youth in the Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities of India. Eventually, it will serve the information needs of every Indian citizen. The information repository will help patients, their caregivers and the general public in early detection and diagnose, seek remedies, learn about peer success stories, search for professional help and participate in the fight against social stigma surrounding mental health.
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