The Banyan

25/09/2026

*A new space for turning lived realities into better ways of caring.*

On 27th September, The Banyan will launch the Centre for Mental Health, Social Care & Livelihoods, alongside its Last Mile Mental Health and Social Care Praxis Lab.

The Centre brings together care, social support and livelihood pathways to look beyond clinical needs and respond to the wider realities that influence recovery and everyday wellbeing. The Lab will build on this work by bringing lived experience into research and practice, asking how mental health care can better respond to people’s social worlds, relationships and circumstances.

Together, they mark a step towards care that is more connected, grounded in experience, and responsive to the realities of the last mile.

Stay tuned as we share more about the work ahead.



CommunityMentalHealth

20/09/2026

A song for a friend 🐾🎶
Sometimes, belonging looks wonderfully ordinary.
A favourite song.
A four-legged friend.
A few minutes of undivided attention.
In the everyday rhythms of life, there are moments of friendship, affection and joy that need no explanation.
And sometimes, the best listener in the room has four paws. ❤️ OASIS TRUST

20/09/2026

A song for a friend 🐾🎶
Sometimes, belonging looks wonderfully ordinary.
A favourite song.
A four-legged friend.
A few minutes of undivided attention.
In the everyday rhythms of life, there are moments of friendship, affection and joy that need no explanation.
And sometimes, the best listener in the room has four paws. ❤️ OASIS TRUST





MentalHealth

17/09/2026

Sometimes, being heard is where hope begins. 🤍

Hope and hopelessness can live within the same person. This Su***de Prevention Awareness Month, let us make space for both—for conversations about wins and losses, friendship and loneliness, belonging and rejection.

At The Banyan, we believe care means listening without judgement, acknowledging the pain of loss, violence and injustice, and respecting dignity and choice. It means helping people access support and continuing to show up beyond moments of crisis.

A pet beside you, a friend’s call, a plant to water, a dream to follow—alongside continued care, these small connections can weave into a blanket of hope.

If hope feels distant today, you still deserve to be heard and supported. You do not need the perfect words to reach out.

Let us listen, stay connected and walk alongside one another—for as long as needed.

📞 +91 9677121099
[email protected]

***dePreventionMonth
💚

14/09/2026

We took some of our colleagues and service users to The Hindu ‘s archival exhibition today: a curated showcase of rare historical photographs and archival images tracing Chennai’s heritage and evolution, put together beautifully by Thirupurasundari sevvel

What a fun outing! 🎞️

We walked through the history of Chennai (erstwhile Madras): its cultural roots, music industry, and iconic moments.

What made it a tad bit more special?

Spotting The Banyan’s World Mental Health Day rally from 1996 right there in the archives! 🌻

One of our service users shared that the photographs reminded her of her childhood days and the life that used to be in the 90s, and that she’s now playing catch-up with all the developments and the generational gap. Moments like these make outings so much more than just outings.

The team loved every bit of it, got chatting with other visitors and of course had to pose in front of our organisation’s bit of history 😊

11/09/2026

A conversation can be the beginning of hope. 💛

This Su***de Prevention Awareness Month, let's move from silence and stigma toward openness, understanding and compassionate support.
Suicidal thoughts can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, identity, ability, background or circumstance. Asking someone how they are feeling, listening without judgement and staying connected can help them feel seen, heard and less alone.

You do not need to have all the answers. Sometimes, simply saying, "I am here with you," can make a meaningful difference.

Let's start conversations, strengthen connections and build communities rooted in compassion, dignity, choice, inclusion and hope.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to a trusted person, mental health professional, crisis helpline or emergency service. Help is available, and you deserve support.

***dePreventionAwarenessMonth Dignity Inclusion Hope

09/09/2026

We are glad to share that on 8th September 2026, we inaugurated the 20th Emergency Care and Recovery Centre (ECRC) in Tenkasi District, Tamil Madu, with our partner Amar Seva Sangam , marking another significant step towards strengthening accessible, recovery-oriented mental healthcare within the public health system.

The inauguration was graced by Mr. Ranjeet Singh, IAS, District Collector, Tenkasi; Dr. S. Premalatha, MD, DGO, Joint Director of Health Services; Dr. R. Jesline, D. Ortho, Hospital Superintendent, Government Headquarters Hospital; Dr. R. Selvabala, RMO, Mr. Mahigizhnan, District Differently Abled Welfare Officer ; Dr. R. Nirmal, MD (Psychiatry), District Psychiatrist; Ms. R. Keerthana, Deputy Director, The Banyan; and Ms.Navamani,Lead - Implementation and capacity building, Amar Seva Sangam.

It was heartening to see the District Collector Mr.Ranjeet Singh, take deep interest in the ECRC and appreciate the thought that was invested into creating a space that feels safe, welcoming, and therapeutic.His curiosity about The Banyan’s social care approach and how it complemented clinical care was particularly encouraging.

Meaningful recovery goes beyond treatment and creating environments that restore dignity, connection, choice, and hope for people experiencing distress.

Through sustained collaboration with the Government of Tamil Nadu and our partner Amar Seva Sangam, we hope this centre grows into a compassionate space of recovery, dignity and belonging .

SocialInclusion Dignity CommunityMentalHealth PublicMentalHealth PartnershipsForChange

06/09/2026

05/09/2026

31/08/2026

Two days of fun, frolic, and friendship! 🎪

Varnam Carnival lit up our Kovalam ECRC campus on 27 and 28 August, starting at 10 AM each day. Balloons, bajjis, music, and a whole lot of joy took over the campus, with colourful streamers, games, and everyone dressed to celebrate. From the streamers to the sass (yes, "Sassy is the new Classy" was the mood), our residents, staff, and community came together to celebrate, connect, and enjoy.

Namma ooru style healing: music, masti, and mounds of bajji 🎉

A big thank you to our residents and staff who believe that joy is just as much a part of care as anything else. Here's to many more moments like this.Cheers !

📍 Kovalam ECRC Campus
CelebrateConnect