BALM in The News
Explore how BALM is being featured in the press. Browse recent media features and stay updated on the reach of our impact.
Seven Individuals Awarded Fellowships for Mental Health Action
At an event organised by The Banyan, seven individuals were honoured with the Sundram Fasteners Fellowships for Mental Health Action, celebrating their grassroots efforts and leadership in mental health.
The New Indian Express: The Banyan to Host 'Homelessness Summit' in Chennai
The summit brought together experts, policymakers, and service users to discuss sustainable care options for individuals unable to return to families or live independently.
The Hindu: Co-Founder of The Banyan Bags Sat Paul Mittal National Award
Vandana Gopikumar, Co-Founder of The Banyan and BALM, was recognized with the Sat Paul Mittal National Award for her pioneering work in mental health and social inclusion.
Business Standard: IDFC FIRST Bank and BALM Launch Centre for Trauma Studies and Innovation
This collaboration aims to create specialized trauma-related training and curriculums for health professionals working across both urban and grassroots settings.
The Week: How an NGO is Paving New Ground in Mental Healthcare
An in-depth look at how Vandana Gopikumar and Vaishnavi Jayakumar have shaped a people-centered, inclusive approach to mental healthcare through The Banyan and BALM.
The Hindu: Take Emergency Care Model for the Mentally Ill to Villages
Tamil Nadu Health Secretary Supriya Sahu emphasized the need to adapt The Banyan’s Emergency Care and Recovery Centre (ECRC) model for use in rural panchayat contexts.
Citizen Matters: Expenses, Social Stigma Deter Urban Poor in Chennai from Seeking Mental Health Care
This report explores barriers to mental health access for the urban poor and highlights organisations like The Banyan implementing community-level solutions.
The Week: Mental Health Care – The Banyan Shows the Way Forward
This article profiles The Banyan’s scalable, rights-based mental health model and its alignment with national and global mental health goals.
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The New Indian Express: Vandana Gopikumar to Receive Penn Nursing Renfield Award
Vandana Gopikumar, co-founder of The Banyan and BALM, was announced as the recipient of the 2018 Penn Nursing Renfield Foundation Award for Global Women’s Health.
The Hindu: Medical Professionals Must Seriously Consider People’s Beliefs and Cultural Practices
Dr. Cristine H. Legare emphasizes the importance of integrating cultural beliefs and practices into public health strategies to improve mental health outcomes.
The New Indian Express: Mental Health in Focus Here
This piece outlines the founding of BALM in 2007 as an initiative of The Banyan, designed to build capacity in mental health leadership and practice.
The Week: These Homes Are Helping Women with Mental Illness Merge into Society
The article documents The Banyan’s journey and evolution in offering long-term shelter, care, and reintegration support for women with mental illness.
The New Indian Express: Mental Healthcare to Reach Every Nook and Corner of Tamil Nadu
The article discusses expanding access to mental healthcare in rural Tamil Nadu, featuring The Banyan’s community-based care models.
Frontline Magazine: The Banyan Model
Frontline profiles the origins and philosophy of The Banyan, tracing its evolution from a grassroots response to becoming a scalable model in mental healthcare.
The New Indian Express: Women Resettled in Perumbakkam Say They're Now Less Safe During Natural Calamities: Study
A study by The Banyan highlights how resettlement has improved access to sanitation but raised concerns about disaster safety among relocated women.
The Hindu: Vandana Gopikumar Gets Global Award
The Hindu reports on Vandana Gopikumar receiving the 2018 Penn Nursing Renfield Foundation Award in recognition of her contributions to global mental health.
The New Indian Express: First Mad Pride Parade Puts Focus on Mental Health Issues
India’s first Mad Pride Parade spotlighted issues around stigma, rights, and representation of people with mental illness. The Banyan was one of the participating voices.
BALM Press Coverage
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Events
Attend our upcoming virtual and in-person events. Whether you’re here to learn, collaborate, or connect, there’s a space for you. You can also explore highlights from past events to see what we’ve been upto.
Ongoing Research & Publications
Explore our ongoing investigations into the social, systemic, and structural dimensions of mental health.