The Alternative Story is an Indian mental health collective which provides counselling services to individuals and organisations based in Bengaluru.[1] It aims to provide mental health services that are affordable,[2] intersectional feminist, trauma-informed, kink-aware, queer-affirmative and caste aware.[3][4][5][6]
 | |
| Founded | 2018 |
|---|---|
| Location |
|
Area served | India |
Key people | Paras Sharma and Rashi Vidyasagar |
| Website | alternativestory |
History
editThe group was founded in 2018 by Paras Sharma[7] and Rashi Vidyasagar.[8] Sharma had produced a podcast, also called The Alternative Story, from 2018.[9] In 2022, The Alternative Story was one of 40 national and international organisations to collaborate with Jindal School of Psychology and Counselling in their degree course to provide work placements.[10]
During the COVID-19 pandemic, counsellors from the group spoke about the increased needs for their services, and the mental health impacts of the lockdowns and other pandemic measures[11][12] as well as anxiety when measures were lifted.[13][14] Members of the Alternative Story have spoken about the impact on people in India and the lack of robust mental health infrastructure.[15][16]
Services
editThe organisation provides the following services:
References
edit- ^ Murthy, Smitha (26 December 2021). "Bridging gender gaps in mental health". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
- ^ Mantri, Geetika (6 February 2021). "India's budget for mental health leaves a lot to be desired: Here's why". The News Minute. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
- ^ "About". The Alternative Story. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
- ^ Chandana, Madhura (10 October 2018). "Mental Health Care Is Expensive, But 'The Alternative Story' Lets You Pay What You Want!". Women's Web: For Women Who Do. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
- ^ Sharma, Prateek (10 July 2019). "Should therapy be political? Influence of social factors on mental health may make a case for such an approach". Firstpost. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
- ^ "How To Prioritise Self-Care During The Triggering Time Of #MeToo". Feminism In India. 9 October 2018. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
- ^ Joshi, Sonam (14 July 2019). "Your shrink is now just a click away - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
- ^ "Mental Health Care in India with Rashi Vidyasagar by Foundry Conversations". Anchor. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
- ^ Ghosh, Shreesha (4 October 2018). "Paras Sharma's podcast 'The Alternative Story' is breaking the stigma around mental health in India". Edex Live. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
- ^ "Jindal School of Psychology Students Gain Diverse Multi-Disciplinary Experience with Leading Organisations". The Week. 11 April 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
- ^ Khatib, Hasina (6 April 2020). "Everything you need to know about online therapy". Vogue India. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
- ^ Agrawal, Soniya (3 April 2020). "Social stigma towards mental health should not bother you in lockdown. Solution's online". ThePrint. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
- ^ Khatib, Hasina (24 April 2020). "10 ways to cheer up a stressed-out friend while social distancing". Vogue India. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
- ^ Mantri, Geetika (13 July 2021). "Survivor's guilt, COVID-19 and the complex tangle of grief". The News Minute. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
- ^ Mantri, Geetika (24 December 2020). "What we need from India's mental healthcare infrastructure in 2021". The News Minute. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
- ^ Nigam, Richa (9 February 2021). "Budget 2021 : India's budget for mental health leaves a lot to be desired". Media India Group. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
- ^ "Services". The Alternative Story. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
- ^ Sharma, Isheeta (15 December 2018). "5 Places Where You Can Seek Online Therapy If You're Struggling With Mental Health Issues". IndiaTimes. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
- ^ Murthy, Smitha (27 March 2022). "Healing from trauma". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 13 April 2022.