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About SAA

Books

Let Us Try And See
(by Anil Vartak)

A book on Personal Coping Stategies

Hope Floats
A book of poems by Shubharthis, Shubhankars and SAAthis

Newsletters

Marathi
Jan-Mar 03, Issue 2
Jan-Mar 03, Issue 3
Apr-Sept 03, Issue 4 & 5

English
Oct-Dec 02, Issue 2
Jan-Mar 03, Issue 3
Apr-Sept 03, Issue 4 & 5
Oct 03-Mar 04, Issue 6 & 7
Apr-Sept 04, Issue 8 & 9
Oct 04-Mar 05, Issue 10 & 11

 

SAA was registered as a Public Charitable Trust vide on the 18th February 1998. Three major areas of focus of SAA are: 1. Creating public awareness about mental disorders using various media, 2. Empowering afflicted families through training, SHSG, talks of experts and formal training 3. Networking with other similar NGOs at the National and International levels.

Significance of SAA Logo

The bird in the center represents the person making efforts to free oneself from the impact of mental/nervous disorder. The four most critical components, which influence the course of the disorder and it's management, are depicted by the four sides of the square, namely, the shubharthi (affected person) himself, the professional (doctor, counselor etc.), the family members and the community at large. The four hands clasping each other represent the need of collaboration by these components. Their patient efforts, to be effective in a marked way, are signified by the square dynamically resting on one of its tips
.

SAA Vision
Persons afflicted with Schizophrenia and allied mental disorders will
not suffer on account of stigma and will be able to lead happy normal
lives
SAA Mission
  • To create public awareness and understanding about mental disorders in general and Schizophrenia in particular
  • To inculcate confidence in and practice of self-help amongst families
    afflicted with mental illnesses
  • To provide facilities for vocational training with an aim of economic
    and social rehabilition of people afflicted with mental disorders

Some Important Terms

Shubhankar: A Sanskrit term used in SAA circles to refer to caregiver
(Literal meaning: a person who is dedicated to others' welfare.)
Shubharthi: A Sanskrit term used in SAA circles to refer to a person with mental disorder (Literal meaning: seeker of well-being)
SAAthi: A Sanskrit term used in SAA circles to refer to volunteers
(Literal meaning: a companion)


Dr. Abraham Low's Recovery Method
Dr. Low's clinical approach focused on reducing the symptoms of anxiety, panic, and depression that complicate the long-term course of major psychiatric disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, manic-depressive illness, and psychotic depression). Decreased self esteem was related to the stigma of mental illness that Dr. Low believed could be overcome by patients and their families through the Recovery Method.

Dealing with Mental Illness

Links to the important sites:
Recovery Inc.
Governance and Legislation