NGO to provide low-cost counselling to mental health patients across city

As part of the initiative, counsellors will offer their services at centres in Chembur, Worli, Grant Road and Juhu to help adults with disabilities such as autism, cerebral palsy and Down’s syndrome.

Adults suffering from mental disabilities and in need of counselling for emotional, financial and sexuality-related issues will now be able to avail these services at a low cost, courtesy a city-based NGO and trust’s initiative called Adult Support Kendra.

NGO to provide low-cost counselling to mental health patients across city(Photo-Bijay-Hindustan Times)

As part of the initiative, counsellors will offer their services at centres in Chembur, Worli, Grant Road and Juhu to help adults with disabilities such as autism, cerebral palsy and Down’s syndrome.

“When people with special needs enter adulthood, their priorities change. They have concerns about their employment prospects, financial stability and intimacy in relationships. While there are many centres in the city to help children with special needs, there are not many for adults,” said Parul Kumtha, founder of Forum for Autism, which has started the initiative along with Yash Charitable Trust. “They often go through extreme emotional distress but are unable to express them as society constantly treats them like children.”

Sushma Nagarkar, a psychologist, said these adults are often unable to verbally express their anxieties but may convey them through certain behaviour.

World Autism Day is marked internationally on April 2.