Prafulta: Outreach to the Marginalised

Prafulta, Centre for Psychological Wellness, Andheri, celebrates its 27th anniversary on September 8, 2025. Over nearly three decades, we have had the privilege of supporting lakhs of individuals through professional mental health services including counselling, psychiatry,  occupational therapy, remedial education, psychometric testing and career guidance. 

Each year, we conduct over 800 workshops and more than a dozen training programs, reaching over 50,000 individuals annually – including children, youth, teachers, parents, and professionals.

However, beyond our mainstream services, our outreach work with marginalized communities over the last four years has been especially close to our hearts.

Community Outreach Highlights

Subhash Nagar Basti

In an effort to make mental health services more inclusive and accessible, Prafulta runs weekly group sessions for women and adolescent girls in Subhash Nagar. These safe spaces allow participants to share, heal, and grow through sessions focused on emotional expression, life skills, self-care, and relationship-building.

Counsellors use interactive methods like art, games, movement, and group discussions to engage the group and also provide psychoeducation on mental health and child development. Individual counselling is offered as needed.

Macramé pe Charcha

Mental health is often not a priority in low-income areas. To bridge this gap, we creatively combine therapy with handwork. Every Monday, a psychotherapist who is also a skilled artisan leads sessions in macramé and crochet for women.

As they weave, our counsellors engage them in heartfelt conversations around self-esteem, parenting, and relationships. The handcrafted items are sold, providing women with a sense of economic empowerment, confidence, and emotional strength.

Aghai Village Clinic

Since October 2021, in collaboration with The Banyan (Chennai), we run a weekly Sunday mental health clinic in Aghai village, 90 kms from Mumbai. Around 50 patients each week receive free psychiatric and psychological consultations, along with essential medication.

Dedicated social workers provide psychoeducation, caregiver support, and follow-ups, ensuring continuity of care. This project aims not only to offer treatment, but also to restore dignity, reduce stigma, and build trust in a region that previously had no mental health services.

Additional Outreach Initiatives

• Khabi Khushi Khabi Gham Mela: Since 2015, we’ve hosted an annual fair for basti children and parents, using music, dance, and play to help process emotions and promote psychological well-being.
• Saathi Program: Graduating boarders from Dominic Savio are supported and accompanied for three years by a trained counsellor, easing their transition into adulthood.
• Smiling Schools Project: In partnership with Project Mumbai, we now conduct regular mental health workshops in 10 municipal schools, building resilience and emotional awareness among children.

Looking Ahead with Gratitude

As we mark 27 years of service, we thank God for the opportunities we’ve had to touch lives and build emotionally healthier communities. We are deeply grateful to all our supporters, staff, and partners who make this mission possible. As we move forward, we remain committed to reaching those in need – especially those often left out – with compassion, skill, and care.