MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AVAILABLE FOR FREE TO LOW COST

by The Jamia Review April 27, 2021, 3:55 pm 1.6k Views

Amidst the recent surge of cases, a grim mental health crisis is taking shape in India. The looming fear of COVID-19, isolation, overwhelming statistics, academic pressure and an uncertain future is severely affecting the mental health of people experiencing this catastrophe today. Since the times are tough, we understand everybody needs a shoulder to lean on. Here is a list of certified/verified therapists/counsellors to help you out.

A list of verified Mental Health services/helplines available for free:

1. iCall Helpline, TISS

Phone: 022-25521111
Website: https://icallhelpline.org/

2. Tamanna Jaisinghani

Queer + polyamorous affirmative. Does not take substance-dependency cases.
Phone: 9920565052
Email ID: itssynecdoche@gmail.com
Session Type: Online video (anywhere in the world), Face-to-face (Bombay).
Fee: Depends on client’s affordability.

3. Samaritans Mumbai

Helpline providing emotional support for those who are stressed, distressed, depressed, or suicidal.
Helplines: +9184229 84528, +9184229 84529, +9184229 84530 (between 3 PM and 9 PM, any day of the week).
Email ID: talk2samaritans@gmail.com
Phone: 02264640822 (please call between 10 am and 4 pm [Monday to Friday] to make an appointment).
Session Type: Telephone/E-mails/Face-to-Face.
Website: https://samaritansmumbai.com/

4. TreadWill

Self-help website designed to help individuals deal with stress, low mood, lethargy, and other depressive symptoms. Designed by IIT Kanpur.
Email ID: treadwill@treadwill.org
Session Type: Self-help.
Website: https://www.treadwill.org/iitk/

5. It’s Okay To Talk

It’s Okay To Talk is an initiative by Sangath, a mental health research organisation. The project is implemented in collaboration with Harvard Medical School and is supported by the Wellcome Trust, UK. It’s Ok To Talk is also part of the PRIDE project, a larger research project working to develop psychosocial interventions for adolescents and youth with mental health problems in India.
Website: https://itsoktotalk.in/find-help/
Fee: Multiple Options.
Session Type: Multiple Options.

A list of verified Mental Health services/helplines available at comparatively low cost:

1. MindAid Therapists:

Manasi Jagtap (M.Phil. Clinical Psychology): She specializes in psychological assessment of mental disorders and evidence based therapeutic approaches such as CBT, Mindfulness, DBT, for depression, anxiety, social anxiety, OCD, personality disorders, etc.
Nirmalika Dutta (M.A. Clinical Psychology): She specializes in the treatment of developmental & behavioral issues in children as well as career counselling.
Shambhavi Deval (M.Phil. Clinical Psychology): She specializes in psychological assessment such as IQ tests, psychodiagnostic tests, and neuropsychological tests and Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Mindfulness.
Shrabosti Chowdhury (M.A. Clinical Psychology): She specializes in providing counselling to adolescents and pre-teens in areas such as learning, anxiety, depression, conflict management, and stress. She is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
Contact: mindaidtherapists@gmail.com
Website: https://www.mindaidtherapists.com/
Session Type: Online therapy/counselling services through voice/video call sessions.
Fee: Two MPhil Clinical Psychologists who charge Rs. 800 per session and two M.A. Clinical Psychologists who charge Rs. 600 per session. Charges are flexible and can be reduced up to Rs. 400 per session depending on the client’s need.

2. Subikshadeepa Natarajan

Masters in Counselling Psychology. Has worked with clients across different age groups and various concerns. Predominantly engaged with adolescents, adults and marginalized communities.
Contact: sessionswithsubiksha@gmail.com
Phone/WhatsApp: 7010447981
Session Type: Online Therapy Sessions.
Fee: Rs 500 per session (Sliding Scale available).

3. Ariba Abbasi

Counseling psychologist. M.Sc. in counseling in family therapy and BA in psychology from Delhi University. Treatment for mood disorders, OCD, relationship counseling, marital therapy/couple therapy, family therapy, anger management, child counseling, adolescent counseling, trauma counseling, stress related issues and Queer Affirmative counseling.
Contact: abbasiariba08@gmail.com
Phone: +917982180473
Session Type: Online counseling services through voice call sessions and video call sessions.
Fee: 500/session. Will be reduced to 300 rupees per session for those in genuine need, or can’t afford to pay due to financial issues.

4. Aashita Adsare

Therapist with over 4 years of experience. Works with children as well as adults. QACP certified and an Arts Based Therapist as well. Largely works with a non-pathologizing and intersectional approach.
Contact: ashita2808@gmail.com
Phone: 9833977707
Session Type: Online sessions. Works with Skype, Google meet.
Fee: Starts at 100 rupees to 800 rupees. However, pro bono and sliding scale available from person to person basis.

5. Rajul Jagdish

Room, the Mindcare Space. Specialization in interpersonal, educational, and marriage and family therapy. Experience in dealing with: depression, anxiety, grief work, domestic violence, substance abuse, sexual abuse, individuals with suicidal ideation, along with other low-risk cases. Queer-friendly.
Contact: roomthespace@gmail.com
Session Type: In person, Skype video calls, audio calls.
Fee: 300-1200, whatever the client can pay.

6. Tangent Mental Health Initiative

Group of three therapists. They aim to create spaces for conversations on mental health care that is accessible, neuro-diverse, queer-affirmative and within the social justice framework. They have been working in the area of children and family in the space of disability as well as of school context.
Website: https://tangentmhi.wordpress.com/
Contact: tangentmhi@gmail.com
Phone: +919903671995, +919840209980
Session Type: Services via online and tele counselling services, along with email based counselling.
Fee: Pay what you can basis starting from Rs. 100 to Rs.1000.

Extracts from: Mahima Kukreja (mahimakukreja@gmail.com)