Vandana Gopikumar has been reaching the most difficult to reach, women who are homeless and with mental ill-health. 

Of all the vulnerable people hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, women with mental ill-health, who are so often homeless, have been amongst the hardest hit. In India, they commonly end up in locked psychiatric wards for years, if not decades.

‘Our responses to these women range from sympathy and the wish to help, to revulsion and fear,’ says Vandana. ‘Yet when we address the root causes – such as poverty, conflict, disasters, domestic violence – we can dramatically change their prospects, enabling them to return to their communities, to hold down jobs, to live with dignity and respect.’

Vandana set up The Banyan to confront the stigma and challenge of mental health head on, not only supporting those in need but simultaneously educating communities and breaking down barriers. Led in part by women with lived experiences of mental health challenges who have been supported by The Banyan in the past, they provide safe spaces, employment opportunities, mental health support and basic care. This model is not only more just that the institutional alternative, it is more effective – and at a fraction of the cost. The Banyan now serves a population of over 1 million, and is expanding to 10 states of India and into Sri Lanka, working alongside local governments.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vandana and The Banyan have stepped up their work to provide oxygen, to deliver medications and meal kits, while continuing to support women in need with their unique housing and mental health model.