Candle Walk to Support The First National Mental Health Awareness Day by Cause an Effect foundation

Cause an Effect Foundation conducted the 1st Mental Health Awareness Day in Hyderabad yesterday, the 6th of August. The evening began with enthusiastic participation by over 80 people. We started the program first with a brief introduction of Cause an Effect and how the organization came into being.

Presentation of the first National Mental Health Awareness Day by Bharathi of Cause an Effect

We then went on with a presentation on the Erwadi Tragedy and about the activities done by WMFI and Banyan Tree Team. On 6th August 2001, two dozen hapless mentally ill patients were roasted alive in Erwadi, Tamil Nadu, when a fire engulfed the Moideen Badusha Mental Home. Chained to poles, they were unable to escape and their charred remains were found the next day. We then explained about the efforts by the Whole Mind Foundation of India and the The Banyan Tree in bettering the conditions of the mentally challenged in India.

We had the participants pledge support to the Mental Health Awareness Program by reading out a pledge and everyone put a green ribbon on their lapels. After this, participants were given pamphlets and extra ribbons

Candle Walk by Supporters of the Cause for Mental Health patients

which they could distribute to others. About 80 of us then set out to departmental stores, bus stops, parks etc in the vicinity of the iridium Interactive office and pinned the ribbons to others and gave them a little information about what we were doing and why they should spread the word about these efforts. Then we lit candles at a bus stop and went on a candle walk on the return stretch to the office. At the office we read out a prayer for the mentally ill and pledged to do all we could for their betterment.

This is a very small step in bettering the conditions of millions of such patients who need our care and supports and instead are languishing in institutions and subjected to inhuman conditions. Join us in spreading the word about this pressing but understated issue. Join us in making 6th August known as the National Mental Health Awareness Day.

If you would like information and support in taking up this cause mail us at bharathi@causeaneffect.org.