Category: Mental Health

The Ātmaprasāra Mental Health Project is helping young people in Rajapalayam overcome substance abuse, recently counselling two school students, one in Class 10 and another in Class 12, out of drug addiction.

Counsellors point out that in recent years, peer-driven substance use has been rising among school- and college-going youth in the city, where drugs are often seen as a marker of belonging – a trend reflected in what both students believed. Both students shared: “If I don’t use drugs, I won’t be accepted as a male in my locality.” For them, addiction was closely tied to peer acceptance and identity.

To address this, Ātmaprasāra focuses on building self-awareness, strengthening family support, and encouraging healthy routines such as sports. They emphasise that small, consistent steps can help young people break free from addiction and rebuild confidence, offering not just recovery, but hope.

“The idea is to replace cycles of dependency with cycles of hope,” a team member said. “When young people begin to see themselves differently, not as addicts, but as individuals with potential, it changes everything.”

Their work underscores a critical truth: addressing addiction among youth is not just about eliminating substances, it is about reshaping narratives around identity, acceptance, and self-worth.