PROJECT NIYATI
Project Niyati aligns with WHO's "mental health in an unequal world" theme and aims to empower the blue-collar female workers (especially, domestic workers) by providing them a platform where they can access mental health resources. The Project has modules designed to spread awareness about anxiety, depression, and substance abuse by engaging the participants in community bonding exercises like Chai-pe-Charcha sessions, Dance therapy workshops, and Antakshari nights. The main aim of the project is to create an empathetic environment that will foster change by focusing on the well-being of domestic workers.
More often than not these are young girls from rural areas who are hired in cities and have to uproot themselves completely to move into the urban household. They are not only home-sick but may also face abusive and disrespectful employers who harass them physically and mentally. Additionally, financial burden, long-working hours and alienation makes their situation worse. Our rationale behind this project is to empower women belonging to this socio-economic strata who not only do not have access to mental health resources, but generally are unable to acknowledge this as a problem.
Stress – busting and mental – health advocacy sessions were organised at Greater Kailash, Wazirpur and Jaipur. The sessions have directly involved more than 60 beneficiaries over six sessions. An important takeaway was the Yarn of Life-that all our happiness is connected and we are not alone. Sessions included balloon popping for stress-relief, breathing exercises and positive affirmations.
Niyati aims to stimulate conversations around Mental Health for blue-collar employees through 3 channels- Awareness, building self-esteem and access to resources. Through relatable conversations, community bonding exercises, and professionally verified workshops, we aim to facilitate meaningful dialogue in the blue-collar community, and address the mental health concerns unique to the nature of their experiences.
