Medico-Pastoral Association (MPA) commenced in 1964 as the first and the oldest registered non-governmental organization to step into the then unexplored territory of rehabilitating mentally ill persons in India. It has, for over the past 50 years, continued to make strides in this realm. Apart from providing a surrogate home for individuals with disabilities arising from psychiatric illness, it also caters to many other needs of people with difficulties.
As early as 1964, much before any formal or conventional forms of intervention were introduced, a group of volunteers comprising professionals like doctors and clergymen under the Urban Industrial Mission Programme of St. Mark's Cathedral, Bangalore got together to create awareness, and to provide training in skills required to remove the fear and misconceptions surrounding mental health problems. The movement initiated by these volunteers has been effective in the promotion of mental health and care of the mentally ill, and culminated in the formation of Medico-Pastoral Association.
A holistic approach to mental health, improving the emotional and social wellbeing of individuals and society, focusing on the ‘Wholeness of Person’ and ‘Wholeness of Society’, and the challenges ahead.
We endeavour towards recovery-oriented rehabilitation aiming at full integration of persons with severe and chronic mental disorders into the mainstream. ‘Rehabilitation, Re socialization, Resettlement’ will continue to be the motto.
Half Way Home was set up in 1975 for both genders, between the ages of 18 to 55 years, in response to the increasing need for structured residential care.
The Navajeevan Hostel & Extended Care was built in the year 1988 and Cottage Women was built in 2007
The Day Care Program for those not requesting residential needs was started in 1998. Facility for both men and women, who are recovering from mental illness.
SAHAI Suicide Prevention Helpline, run by the Medico-Pastoral Association was started in 2002.
Psychology, Social work, students from colleges in Bangalore and outside the district or state do their fieldwork or block placement at MPA
Years
Volunteers
Distress Call heard
Rehabilitated
Art is used as one of the mediums for facilitating emotional expression and non-verbal communication.
Drama as therapy or Psychodrama is primarily an action approach to group therapy.
Help with reflection and understanding of the lives of those around us and also help reflect on our own lives.
Group therapy helps to bring relief when members share and discover that they are not alone.
Let's donate to support Persons with Mental and Emotional Disorders to have a better life.
Get In Touch
