Proposal for funding the Psychotherapy Project of Don Bosco Ashalayam Swasthya Mann Project

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Background

Don Bosco Ashalayam has been successfully operating since 1985 and currently shelters over 450 orphaned or abandoned children, and is in regular contact with a further 5000 children who are still living on the streets of Kolkata and the surrounding areas. It assists, protects and homes needy children regardless of race, religion and gender, allowing them safety, support and promotes their psychosocial development through counseling, developing life skillsand formal education.

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The vulnerable street and station children residing in DBA’s Homes in Howrah, Liluah, Kolkata and Kalyani include;

  • Abandoned Children
  • Neglected Children
  • Orphan Children
  • Destitute Children
  • Physically/sexually abused children
  • Child labourers
  • Migrant children

The Need for Psychotherapy Project in DBA

Gulabi (name changed) was 8 years old when her mother re-married and a step father came into their lives It was then the nightmare began. Gulabi’s mother a daily wager would go out to work leaving Gulabi and her younger sister  at home. Taking advantage of the situation Gulabi’s stepfather would grope and touch her inappropriately. When Gulabi resisted she was beaten. A year later she summoned enough courage to tell her mother about being abused. Her mother told her to keep quiet and not tell anybody about it.In fact she even chided her for not being properly attired. This went on for three more years before Gulabi decided to run away from home, but unfortunately she was caught by a relative and brought back home. Her stepfather and mother decided to get her married to a man more than thrice her age. Gulabi ran away again and this time she was rescued by Childline and brought to DBA. After completion of legal formalities Gulabi was placed in one of the girls home in Howrah and being fairly good in academics was enrolled in a nearby school. But Gulabi’s conduct was a source of concern for the Home in charges as well as the school authorities. She was given to bouts of extreme rage when she would tear up books and behave violently with her home mates and caregivers. She had trouble sleeping as a creeping sense of anxiety and nightmares kept her awake through the night. Gulabi was put under counseling care and therapy from where she began gradually emerging from her self-imposed prison. After finishing school Gulabi went on to complete a professional nursing course. She is now employed as a nurse in a reputed hospital and is contemplating marriage with a boy she met while studying to be a nurse. The therapy in DBA has helped to heal the trauma to a great extent, she still suffers pangs of anxiety and the nightmares haven’t gone away completely. But Gulabi knows that its okay to talk about it and it wasn’t her fault.

Children like Gulabi are prone to be labeled as problem kids, but most of them have suffered some form of chronic abuse and to others their responses may appear to be irrational however their behavior is guided by experience and the way they see the world.

Almost all the boys and girls rescued by DBA have suffered abuse in some form or the other and the traumatic experiences leave a deep impact on their lives that manifests itself through behavioral issues, low frustration tolerance and emotional fragility.

Don Bosco Ashalayam’sprovides a continuum of services for children in the 05 to 18 age group that goes beyond food, shelter, clothing and medicines. Counselling, Life Skills Education and Psychotherapy sessions help develop the emotional and mental health of the adolescents.Numerous studies including one commissioned by DBA in 2008 have highlighted the emotional and mental trauma of children living in the stations and streets in India. 

Problems helped by psychotherapy include difficulties in coping with daily life; the impact of trauma, medical illness or loss, like the death of a loved one; and specific mental disorders, like depression or anxiety. There are several different types of psychotherapy and some types may work better with certain problems or issues. Psychotherapy may be used in combination with medication or other therapies.

Problems helped by psychotherapy include difficulties in coping with daily life; the impact of trauma, medical illness or loss, like the death of a loved one; and specific mental disorders, like depression or anxiety. There are several different types of psychotherapy and some types may work better with certain problems or issues. Psychotherapy may be used in combination with medication or other therapies.

Methodology

The ‘Swasthya Mann’ or Healthy Mind Psychotherapy Projectis structured to support boys and girls in the 12-18 age group. The students are divided into groups of 20 to facilitate individual attention for each participant.

The Group sessions are held weekly and individual sessions as per requirement. Each week the group members talk and listen to one another about their concerns and interests on a selected topic. The boys and girls will have opportunities to express themselves further through creative or focused activities such as role playing, drama, journaling, poetry, drama, dance, drawing, collage, clay, and anything else the girls can think of!

The Groupsluse experiential activities and group discussion to create a safe, trusting environment for girls to learn more about themselves and each other. Groups focus on social awareness & skills, identity development, building self-confidence and self-compassion, developing empathy and a sense of connectedness, health & hygiene and helping girls navigate the transitions of early adolescence.

Few major sessions ofSwasthya Mann Projectinclude:

  • Health and Wellness 
    Sleep patterns 
    Exercise 
    Nutrition 
    Medication education 
    Recognizing warning signs
  • Personal Control 
    Anger management 
    Stress management 
    Personal hygiene 
    Impulse control 
    Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) or Rational Behavioural Therapy (RBT)
  • Relationships 
    Assertiveness 
    Boundaries 
    Conflict management 
    Grief, loss, and forgiveness 
    Parenting skills
  • Values and Beliefs 
    Goal setting 
    Values 
    Beliefs 
    Goals
  • Mental Health Systems 
    How to talk to others 
    How to get the support you need

Steps towards Healing:

  • Identify/diagnose problems and fears
  • Recognise their pasts/trauma
  • Identify areas that lead to emotional problems
  • Heal the past through different therapy sessions
  • Improve self-esteem
  • Overcoming  Depression
  • Improve focus and concentration
  • Improve Self-confidence
  • Develop Self-Management
  • Goal setting
  • Steps to chase the dream

Few Tools:

  • Drama Therapy
  • Dance Movement Therapy
  • Art Therapy
  • Discussions
  • Individual counselling
  • Thoughts, Feelings, Behaviours Worksheet
  • Motivational videos
  • Psychometric assessment tools

The Psychotherapy sessions ses guidance and encouragement to help the traumatised youngsters to develop their own resources. It helps build self-esteem, reduce anxiety, strengthen coping mechanisms, and improve social and community functioning.

Requirements

This project proposes a onetime expenditure for setting up  ‘smart class’ to provide audio visual inputs during the psychotherapy sessions. Guided meditation sessions, inspirational and motivational videos can be shown to the students. This set up is expected to have a lifespan of 5 to 7 years. Other inputs include training materials and psychological testing tools. Two resource persons will attend on a regular basis. They shall be remunerated on a monthly basis for the number of days attended.