Author: Mrs.Padma Dasari

Category: Mental Health

I am Padma Dasari and I have been working as an Associate at Anna Chandy & Associates, Bangalore the past eight years.

I first heard about the Atmaprasara project from Anna about six years ago. I was immediately drawn to the concept and, more importantly, to the purpose behind it.

As a therapist for the past 26 years, I have experienced and understood the power of therapy. I have seen how having a safe space to express our thoughts, emotions, fears, and struggles can bring meaningful change to a person’s life. I believe this is especially important in small towns, where awareness and access to counselling are still developing.

As a society, many of us have grown up with the belief that our personal problems and emotional struggles should not be shared with anyone outside the family. Traditionally, the joint-family system provided a certain sense of support and connection. But as joint families gradually gave way to nuclear families, many people found themselves unsure about whom they could turn to when they were struggling.

This is where counselling becomes so important.

Although the concept of counselling slowly began gaining acceptance in bigger cities, it was still relatively new in smaller towns. So, when Mrs Nirmala and Anna decided to start Atmaprasara in Rajapalayam, I was extremely happy. I felt that the project was addressing a very real and important need of the hour.

When I was given the opportunity to be part of this project, I immediately embraced it.

For the past five years, I have had the privilege of closely observing the growth and transformation of Atmaprasara in Rajapalayam. It has been deeply fulfilling to witness how the project has evolved and how it has touched the lives of both volunteers and clients.

A special shout-out to our pioneer volunteers. I am extremely proud of each one of them. The way they have worked on themselves while supporting their clients has been truly remarkable. Their commitment, openness to learning, and willingness to grow have played a significant role in shaping Atmaprasara.

Last year, when Atmaprasara invited applications for new volunteers, we received almost 150 applications. That number itself speaks volumes about the impact the project has created. It reflects the efforts of our volunteers in working with their clients, spreading awareness, and using social media to reach more people.

I would also like to congratulate all our pioneer volunteers for laying such a strong foundation for the project.

And now, when I look at our new volunteers, I feel equally excited and hopeful. Our five-month-old volunteers are enthusiastic, curious, sincere, and quick to learn. It is wonderful to watch them explore new concepts, ask questions, and grow in their understanding. What makes this journey even more beautiful is seeing our senior volunteers holding their hands, guiding them, and supporting them along the way.

For me, this is the true essence of Atmaprasara—creating a culture of understanding, acceptance, learning, and support. I feel proud and grateful to be a part of this journey and look forward to seeing Atmaprasara touch many more lives in the years to come.