RAHAT CHARITABLE AND MEDICAL RESEARCH TRUST

Vision
'RAHAT' means SOLACE in English  and is our abiding inspiration for working towards providing   solace mentally, socially and spiritually to lead healthier lives and increasing the overall well being of individuals and society. 

Mission -
'RAHAT' (Rehabilitation of Ailing Humans through Action and Treatment) is a non-profit charitable organization created to meet a growing need for community based programs in the field of health, particularly mental health, laying special emphasis on preventive education and treatment.

Brief History -
'RAHAT' was formed in 1988 to augment the meager existing facilities in the area of mental health education and programs with a community orientation.  This need was particularly felt amidst the increasing stresses of modern living leading to a breakdown in the coping abilities of individuals caught at such crossroads.  The rising trends of poverty, alienation, stresses and violence have greatly increased delinquency, alcoholism, drug abuse and alienation among youth, who may lack a specific direction in life.  The gradual split in family and social networks, apart from other reasons have led to a growing incidence of mental illnesses in our society.  Hence, community outreach programs specifically designed to educate certain vulnerable high-risk groups of people about the dangers of addictions, the need to maintain cordial family and interpersonal relationships as well as early recognition of emotion distress and mental illnesses. 'RAHAT' has been formed to meet some of these needs.  The programs over the last 20 years reflect this mission, including programs for special populations like children, women and the elderly.

Staff -
'RAHAT' is being managed by Ms. Mohini Sharma, Chairperson, Trustees-Ms Anuradha Sachdev (Industrialist), Dr. Avdesh Sharma (Consultant Psychiatrist), Dr. Sujatha Sharma (Consultant Clinical Psychologist) and Ms. Manasi Sharma (Psychologist), Research Worker, alongwith administrative staff - Mr. Rajeev Verma in the Secretariat, Ms. Poonam in Computer section, Mr. Girish Joshi in accounts, Mr. Anil Mandal and Ranjan Joshi as office staff and Mr. Rakesh in transport.  A team of volunteers and associates support the activities on various programs.

Status with Govt. -
The Govt. of India has continuously recognized the work of the trust through its association at different levels.  The donations to the trust are exempted from Income Tax under section 80G of Income tax act, 1961.  The trust can receive Foreign contributions directly as it is exempt under FCRA (Foreign Contributions Regulation Act).

Smt. Ambika Soni, Member of Parliament and now Minister of Information and Braodcasting and past Minister, Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India in recognition of the efforts and programs by 'RAHAT', donated a Community outreach vehicle in May 2004 through her Members of Parliament Local Area Development Funds for various activities of 'RAHAT'.

RAHAT has set certain specific aims and objectives for itself.

• To be involved in the management of mental illnesses and deal with psychological problems of the aged, children and women.
• To involve itself in creating audiovisual and educational aids on drug abuse and mental health.
• To organize public awareness programs on mental health, drug abuse as well as problems of elderly, using poster competitions, workshops and mass media campaigns.
• To provide information on the dangers of drug and alcohol addiction as well as cigarette smoking in schools, colleges, youth organizations and  slums.  
• To be involved in providing services to those with mental subnormalcy and learning disabilities.
• To train medical and paramedical personal about issues of mental health and illnesses, emotional problems, drug and alcohol abuse, AIDS etc.

The following are some of the activities of the trust in the past twenty years since its inception and the ongoing areas of thrust.

• Production of pamphlets on Mental health and illnesses; Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Abuse for Students, Parents, Teachers and the general population.  These have been distributed in schools, colleges, hospitals and clinics. The problem areas covered are Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Mental Retardation, Schizophrenia, Affective Disorders, Phobia, Panic Attacks, Tension Headache etc. and have also been distributed to patients and families in mental health facilities.
• Dissemination of information to the general public through print and electronic media through writing of articles as well participation through interviews.
• Building action groups at the school level and in the slums to fight the problems of drug abuse.  
• 'RAHAT' has been instrumental in bringing about audio material (cassettes) on 'Stress', which have been distributed, free of cost, to those needing it. 
• Counseling the mentally ill and their families (free of cost to the needy) is another activity carried throughout the year with the help of trained Psychiatrist and Psychologist.  
• Organized a 'Rock Concert' on 1st October. 1991. The students also participated in a poster competition on drug abuse. It was managed by students of Gyan Bharati School for the social cause of fight against 'Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco abuse'. 
• A seminar entitled 'Physicians Initiative Against Drug Abuse' was held on Saturday, 18th September, 1993 in New Delhi with Delhi Medical Association to create awareness on mental health & substance abuse for doctors. 
• Documentaries on different aspects of mental illnesses, stress and substance abuse were supported by 'RAHAT and technically collaborated with the television channel, 'Doordarshan' in 1995-96.  The projects were conceived and scripted by team of 'RAHAT'.  The trustees as well as the staff (voluntary and part time) have been involved in reaching the general public through electronic media.  The programs include 'Mindwatch', a 26 episode series on Mental Health (in English which was later on dubbed in Hindi), which ran repeatedly on National Television (Doordarshan) having a potentional viwership of about 250-300 million; 'Khamosh Shatru' on AIDS (the first ever six part documentary series on AIDS in India for NACO, Ministry of Health, Govt. of India), 'Better Halves' on women’s issues and health (English); 'Body-Mind-Soul' on Holistic Health, 'Azadi-Ki-Ore': 50 years of health in India; Distress to De-Stress on stress etc.  Subsequently, the letters received from through the Audience Research Cell of Doordarshan were answered individually to each person as well as relevant material sent by the volunteers of 'RAHAT'.  The program also acted as continuing medical education to doctors around the country.
  
• Celebrities from 'Bollywood' like Shahrukh Khan, Rishi Kapoor, Meenakshi Seshadri, Satish Shah and Dheeraj Kumar as well Kapil Dev, sports celebrity also gave public service messages for various programs.
• Psychovision 95, a conference on Mind-Body medicine and Spirituality was held as part of the Perfect Health Mela with 'RAHAT' as a partner organized on 1st November 1995 at Scope Convention Centre, Delhi. It was attended by more than 20 N.G.O.'s, 12 spiritual organizations and others, like school children, general public etc.  
• 'RAHAT' Charitable Trust has put up website www.rahat.org to disseminate information on different aspects of behavioral, emotional and mental health issues with special reference to stress, anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, mental subnormalcy, addictions, tobacco, alcohol and drugs as well as for special populations like children, women and the elderly. 
• The World Psychiatric Association recognized the work of 'RAHAT' by involving it as a center to carry out a study on patients, families and general physicians on 'Fighting Stigma & Discrimination Because of Schizophrenia - India Initiative'.  This was a part of 70 country experience and 'RAHAT' was one of the six centers in India.  
• 'RAHAT' disseminated information to thousands of Internet surfers through 'Psychospeak', a site created to provide awareness on psychological health through the Internet dialer iolpl.com. 
• 'RAHAT' Charitable Trust and 'HelpAge India', a premiere level national organization working for the care and cause of the elderly tied together to hold bimonthly seminars for the elderly entitled 'Active Ageing for Healthy Living'.  The 1st seminar on 'Spirituality - A Panacea for All or need of the elderly?' was organized on 21st October 2002.  The 2nd seminar 'Staying Younger While Living Longer' was organized on Thursday, 26th December 2002 at India International Center.  It was inaugurated by Dr. A.K. Walia, Hon. Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of Delhi. The third seminar on 'Nutrition and Fitness' for the elderly was held on 25th March, 2003 while the fourth seminar in the Series focusing on mental health of the elderly, 'A Healthy Mind for Healthy Ageing' was organized on Thursday, 3rd July, 2003.
• 'RAHAT' is collaborating with the Richmond Fellowship Society, India, Delhi Branch, to provide assistance in carrying out community outreach program for education, identification and treatment for mental illness in the NCR region.
• The 'RAHAT' team including experts in Mental Health, conducted a two day in house training program in May 2009, 'Mind Matters' on recognition of Mental health and mental illnesses, stress management and Basic counseling skills to spiritual caregivers/practitioners of the Brahmakumaris World Spiritual University Retreat Center at Manesar, NCR, Delhi.

The beneficiaries of various activities of 'RAHAT' are members of the community and general public, families of and those suffering from mental problems.  The services are free of charge without any discrimination and for all religions, caste, creed, sex or socioeconomic status.

The trustees of 'RAHAT' Dr. Avdesh Sharma, is currently involved as an expert in WHO-SEARO's program on Mental Well Being in the Community. 

Dr. Sujatha Sharma, is consultant to NIPCCD (National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development), and has also developed a training manual for Counseling Services for Child Survivors of Trafficking in 2006 (supported by UNICEF).  The work in future would also, along with current work, have programs along these lines in the community.

It is our sincere desire to join hands with other organizations working in the field, share our work and experience to create ripples and bring about a change from emotional distress to Mental Well Being.