Addressing mental health needs in shelter homes: lessons from a case study in Uttarakhand, India

Abstract

Mental health is increasingly recognized as integral to overall well-being, yet stigma, systemic neglect, and limited access to services remain major barriers in India, where nearly 197 million people are affected. Homeless individuals, particularly women, face compounded challenges, with shelter homes often lacking adequate medical and psychosocial support. This case study from Mahila/Kishori/Kishor Kalyan Kendra in Kedarpur, Uttarakhand, highlights how targeted reforms transformed a women’s shelter home into a rehabilitative space. Initiatives between 2016–17 improved safety, sanitation, nutrition, medical care, and psychosocial engagement. Structured activities, vocational training, and financial inclusion promoted empowerment, while family tracing and reunification efforts restored dignity and social belonging. Outcomes included significant reductions in acute psychosis, improved physical rehabilitation, and over 450 successful reunifications, including cross-border cases. The Uttarakhand model demonstrates that low-cost, comprehensive interventions can break the cycle of homelessness and mental illness, aligning with global frameworks such as WHO’s Mental Health Action Plan. Scaling such approaches across India could reposition shelter homes as transitional spaces fostering recovery, reintegration, and long-term resilience.