About Us

Friends of The Banyan (FOTB) is a US based, volunteer run non-profit organization, which was founded and run by friends of The Banyan based in the USA. FOTB was formed with a single goal in mind to support The Banyan through funds and other resources.

FOTB is a 501(c)(3) public charity. This means that any contribution made to the FOTB will qualify for a tax deduction as defined by the United States Federal Law. All funds raised in the United States are directly transferred to India, without any local overhead costs.

Welcome

Friends Of The Banyan

Friends of the Banyan (FOTB) is a US based non-profit organization that was formed by friends and volunteers of the Banyan. FOTB was formed with a single goal in mind to support the Banyan through funds and other resources.

FOTB recently acquired 501 c(3) tax exempt status from the IRS. This means that any contributions made to the FOTB will now qualify for a tax deduction as defined by the United States Federal Law. Apart from fund raising, FOTB is also focused on increasing the awareness about mental health issues surrounding the people anywhere in the world and garner support for promoting the goals of organizations like the Banyan.







About The Banyan

Welcome to The Banyan

Since 1993, The Banyan has worked tirelessly to provide mental health services to women and men, homeless or in the community and has advocated at the local, state and (inter)national level for holistic changes in mental health care to provide quality mental health care with dignity. We need your help to ensure we can continue this work !

Spend some time on our site and see how you can help.

It has been 25 years since The Banyan first began as a safe haven and rehab center for homeless women with mental health issues. Over the past two decades, over 2500 homeless individuals with mental illness have found homes and built lives beyond institutions.

They have rediscovered meaning, hope and reclaimed their identity.

We have developed robust and comprehensive mental health solutions that address multifaceted components of distress beyond mental health issues, rooted in social and structural barriers.

The human rights framework through which we operate is firmly embedded in values that promote capabilities and social justice across 15 service access points, both for people living at The Banyan full-time as well as people in the community living with their families.

Our programs are adaptive, responsive, creative and co-designed by mental health service users and professionals.

We learn from their resilience and courage – they keep us committed to our cause and rooted to our vision.

Vision

An inclusive and humane world that promote capabilities, equity and justice

Mission

Enabling access to health and mental health care for persons living in poverty and homelessness through comprehensive and creative clinical and social care approaches embedded in a well-being paradigm. The needs of those who live in the margins are our collective responsibility.

Read more at www.thebanyan.org

Projects

Quite simply, support for the mentally ill in India is minimal. The Banyan has evolved to provide the full range of services required to get a mentally ill person, and their family, back on track with their lives and to apply pressure to change the current system.

The projects of The Banyan have developed to offer prevention systems, provide access to care and rehabilitation, deliver community awareness and instigate policy advocacy and research. All driven by a belief that all are entitled to a life of choice, dignity and respect: ‘I exist therefore I am’, the philosophy.

Contact

The Banyan Adaikalam

6th Main Road, Mugappair Eri Scheme,
Mugappair west, Chennai – 600037

T: +91-44 – 26530504, 26530599
F: +91-44 – 26530105

The Banyan Community Mental Health Project

Banyan Health Centre,
2/242, Pillayar Koil Street,
Kovalam Village,
Kancheepuram – 603112

The Banyan Day Care Centre

Social Resource and Training Centre (SRTC),
Jawaharlal Nehru Inner Ring Road (Near to Udhayam Theatre),
KK Nagar, Chennai – 83

T: +91-44 – 24742479