A Holistic Approach to Mental Health: Healing Beyond Medication

Mental health challenges like PTSD, anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem are far too common among the children and individuals we serve. At Reach Lives, we recognize that medication alone is often not enough. Our mental health program takes a holistic approach, combining creative outlets, supportive therapy, and the joy of shared celebrations to foster healing and growth.

A Reach Lives volunteer with young budding artists at a P2E event

1. Creative Outlets: Expressing Through Art

Our Paint to Empower (P2E) program, in partnership with The Crimson Canvas, provides a powerful creative outlet for beneficiaries of all ages. By focusing on art as a means of expression, we help children and adults alike cope with their mental health challenges.

A Paint to Empower event

Impact Highlights:

• Over 2,000 individuals reached, including 500 children currently enrolled in an art mentorship program.

• Creative sessions provide a safe space to explore emotions, build confidence, and develop skills.

  
  

Through art, we aim to foster holistic development for children and offer adults an escape from the stresses of life. Creativity heals—and this program is living proof.

2. Supportive Therapy: The Power of Connection

Sometimes, healing begins with a conversation. For individuals facing mental health challenges, having someone to listen and provide support can make all the difference. That’s why we organize individual and group therapy sessions tailored to the needs of our beneficiaries.

Supportive therapy includes:

• Individual Counseling: One-on-one sessions to help individuals process their emotions and develop coping strategies.

• Group Therapy: Creating safe, supportive spaces for beneficiaries to share their experiences and foster a sense of belonging.

  
  

Our goal is to create a community of care where no one feels alone in their struggles.

A counsellor has a friendly chat with a child

3. Holiday Celebrations: Spreading Joy and Belonging

At Reach Lives, we believe that holidays matter. Celebrating festivals helps children and families feel connected, loved, and part of a larger community. From diya painting workshops during Diwali to cultural dance programs during Eid al-Fitr, we create moments of joy for those who need it most.

Christmas Cheer: Our flagship Christmas Cheer program brings gifts, games, and celebrations to children every December, spreading the kindness and generosity of the holiday season. These events remind children that they are not forgotten and deserve to experience the magic of the holidays.

👉 Learn more about our latest Christmas Cheer program here: https://shorturl.at/QUXln

Why Holistic Mental Health Matters

By combining creativity, therapy, and community, our mental health program provides a comprehensive support system for those in need. We believe that healing comes not just from treatment, but from experiences that uplift the spirit, nurture the mind, and build connections.

Together, we can continue this work and bring hope to more lives.

• Support Our Mental Health Programs Today →

• Learn More About Our Work →

Launch of our first Hospital - Shanti Nilaya

Reach Lives is excited to announce the launch of our first community health center in T C Palya in partnership with Dream India Network. This community health center will function as a referral institution that provides free healthcare for destitute children and adults requiring in-patient and minor OT procedures.

This center completes the first of our healthcare project, Reach Health and is intended to function in tandem with the two mobile medical units and eight rescue ambulances that we currently operate in 8 zones of Bengaluru. Reach Lives is hard at work establishing a second health care center in Rajajinagar to increase our area of operations.

We Can 2020: Protecting Futures with HPV Vaccination in Goa

Cervical cancer is a silent threat to women in India, with devastating statistics to prove it—1 in 52 Indian women is likely to die from this preventable disease. The culprit? Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infections, which often precede cervical cancer.

All it takes is a vaccine to protect a child from cervical cancer.

The good news? There is a vaccine that can protect against it. The bad news? Only 6% of Indians are aware of the HPV vaccine’s existence, and at a prohibitive cost of Rs. 9,000 per child, access is out of reach for most families. Recognizing this critical gap, Reach Lives stepped up with We Can 2020, a comprehensive initiative to spread awareness, raise funds, and deliver life-saving vaccinations to underserved communities in Goa.

Volunteer doctor vaccinates a child with HPV vaccine

Why Focus on Cervical Cancer?

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in Indian women, yet it is entirely preventable. The HPV vaccine, administered to adolescents, provides protection against the HPV infection that can lead to cervical cancer later in life. However, barriers such as lack of awareness, stigma, and high costs mean that countless children are left unprotected.

At Reach Lives, we believe that no child should miss out on a vaccine that can save their future. This conviction inspired us to launch the We Can 2020 campaign, with a mission to vaccinate children and educate communities about the importance of cervical cancer prevention.

How We Made It Happen

1. Fundraising Efforts

We knew that to make the vaccine accessible, we needed community support. Reach Lives partnered with the Goa College of Architecture to organize creative and impactful fundraising events. One standout event was the WeCan 2020 Marathon, which brought together over 500 runners and walkers from across Goa. The funds raised from these events played a crucial role in subsidizing the cost of vaccinations.

We Can 2020 fundraising marathon

2. Awareness Programs

Education is the first step to prevention. Over the course of a month, we conducted health awareness campaigns in Goa to address two key goals:

• Educating women about the importance of regular cervical cancer screenings.

• Highlighting the critical need for vaccinating adolescents against HPV to protect future generations.

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Through these programs, we reached hundreds of families, helping them understand the life-saving benefits of early intervention.

Snapshots from the We Can 2020 fundraising marathon

3. Vaccination Clinics

In January 2020, in partnership with Manipal Hospital, Goa, and using GSK’s Cervarix vaccine, we launched a series of free vaccination clinics. Working closely with local communities, we ensured that these clinics were accessible and convenient for families. By November 2020, we successfully vaccinated 250 children, giving them a chance at a healthier future free from the threat of cervical cancer.

Health awareness workshop for children

The Road Ahead

While We Can 2020 marked a significant milestone, our work doesn’t stop here. This initiative laid the groundwork for ongoing vaccination efforts, with plans to expand to other communities in need. The goal is clear: to ensure that every child, regardless of financial constraints, has access to this life-saving vaccine.

How You Can Help

The fight against cervical cancer is far from over. Your support can help us continue this life-saving work and protect even more children from preventable diseases. Here’s how you can get involved:

• Donate: Your contribution can fund vaccines for children who need them the most.

• Spread Awareness: Share information about the HPV vaccine with your community and encourage others to act.

• Partner with Us: Collaborate with Reach Lives to bring vaccination programs to underserved communities.

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Together, We Can Protect Futures

At Reach Lives, we believe that prevention is the greatest gift we can give. Through initiatives like We Can 2020, we are not just vaccinating children—we are protecting dreams, aspirations, and futures. Join us in this journey and be part of the movement to eliminate cervical cancer, one child at a time.

Donate now to support our work protecting children.