Category: Mental Health

Mrs. Radhika Rammohan, Volunteer, Ātmaprasāra

A few weeks ago, an individual from a rural community came to Ātmaprasāra seeking help. The family was convinced that their loved one had been possessed by a supernatural entity. The client was experiencing overwhelming fear, severe anxiety, disturbed sleep, and profound emotional distress. Both the client and the family viewed these experiences through the lens of possession, making the situation difficult to navigate.

Rather than dismissing or challenging these beliefs, the counselling sessions focused on understanding the client’s emotional pain, trauma, and anxiety. Through empathetic conversations with the client and their family, the counsellors gently explored the possibility that these experiences could also have a medical and psychological explanation, while ensuring that the individual and their family felt heard, respected, and supported throughout the process.

Recognising that the client’s condition required specialised care, our counsellor recommended consultation with a psychiatrist. This collaborative approach ensured that the individual received appropriate mental health support while continuing to feel respected and understood.

Cases like these remind us that mental health care in rural communities is not just about counselling. It is about bridging the gap between traditional beliefs and scientific understanding with compassion, patience, and dignity.

Ātmaprasāra regularly supports individuals facing complex emotional and psychological challenges. Our mission is not to judge beliefs but to walk alongside people, create awareness about mental health, and guide them toward evidence-based care whenever needed. Every conversation is an opportunity to replace fear with hope, stigma with understanding, and isolation with support.