Atmiyata’s Volunteer-Led Approaches to Addressing Mental Health in Rural India

In Gujarat, India, NGO Atmiyata has successfully scaled a community-led approach to addressing youth mental health. Listed as one of the World Health Organization’s 25 good practices for community outreach mental health services, the program relies upon an expansive network of trained volunteers to facilitate psychosocial support and reduce mental health stigma amongst rural populations.

With continued implications for the promotion of Sustainable Development Goal 3 in rural settings, this case study will explore how Atmiyata has successfully scaled, and retained quality control, of volunteer-led public health initiatives.