NALAM: Community Mental Health

NALAM, Tamizh for “well-being”, reflects our belief in enabling every individual to thrive to their fullest potential. We believe that by coming together early—through timely interventions and inclusive support—we can prevent the escalation of mental illness and homelessness.

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Grounded and Growing

Our community mental health approach combines clinical interventions with social entitlements and local community-level alliances. Through locally recruited and trained mobilisers and multidisciplinary outpatient teams, we’ve provided clinical care to 11,208 individuals and supported nearly 6,000 others experiencing subclinical distress through counseling and social welfare entitlement services.

Our Partners

Together, we can break barriers, empower communities, and work towards true mental health equity.

Dompada Taluk

Pandhurna Takuk

Map Locations

At The Banyan, every number represents a life reclaimed. From providing mental health care and shelter to enabling social reintegration, our work has transformed thousands of lives—one person at a time.

Stories of Hope and Resilience

Real people, real journeys—stories of resilience, recovery, and renewed hope.

One step at a time “When I came to the hospital, I thought you would judge me if I opened up about my illness,” Shanti confided to the social worker after three such visits. “But you came to my home, sat with me, and walked with me, which made me feel comfortable and happy, like I’m not just a patient.” – Shanti, service user, NALAM

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Journal Article

Responsive mental health systems to address the poverty, homelessness and mental illness nexus: The Banyan experience from India

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Other Programs

We offer bespoke, dignified care that addresses both clinical and social needs through interconnected programs that create pathways from crisis to community living.

Livelihoods

Work participation and social enterprise initiatives that creates employment pathways for individuals experiencing mental health conditions, blending therapeutic support with sustainable business models.

Home Again

Supportive housing in urban and rural neighbourhoods where people who need alternatives to institutionalisation can live in small affinity groups, accessing on-site clinical and social care while building relationships within their communities.

Magizhvagam

Hostel-like co-living spaces for those seeking a balance of privacy and community support to access dignified, structured environments where 60 residents find refuge, healing, and pathways to greater independence through collaborative living and personalized care.