Breaking through rather than breaking down

I am not sure I can adequately describe in words the experience that I have had here in Calcutta at the ANJALI PROJECT. An amazing group of people who are really making a difference to both men & women who find themselves experiencing some kind of mental distress that results in them being ' locked away' in a psychiatric home, hospital, instiuition. ANJALI works with the government health authorities to make things better for people who have to all intents and purposes lost all their human rights because thay have been diagnosed with a mental health condition. We visited a psychiatric hospital and spent time with 11 men who were all at differing stages of 'treatment'& 'recovery'. We heard their stories that were graphic, disturbiing and also moving. We met the absolutely inspirational woman who is the founder of ANJALI, Ratnaboli Ray and her team who are constantly challenging the status quo to push for change at every opportunity so the men & women in these institutions are not forgotten about. We also heard about the variety of programmes they run for patients, families, staff and probably most impressively for 'young people' in the community. Raising awareness is a major step forwards and quite rightly ANJALI understand the role of the younger generation in making tomorrows society a more humane and accepting place for those of us who do not quite fit in to the organisational norm. As well as learning a lot and I was also part of a group of people who felt priviledged to witness passion desire and clear action for change.