The Atmiyata Model
Why Atmiyata?
Mental health is a public health concern worldwide, with nearly 1 in 7 people living with a mental health disorder globally. There is a large mental health care gap between the mental health needs of individuals and communities, and the availability of accessible and appropriate care. As a result, many people are unable to access the support they need.
In India, the care gap is shaped by multiple factors. These include limited availability and distribution of services, high costs, stigma, and discrimination.
One
in ten
people in India live with some form of a mental health condition
150
million
people in India are in need of mental health interventions & care
This gap is not solely due to the number of professional services available. While investments in formal mental health institutions have increased, access to care has not expanded equally across communities—especially those in vulnerable and underserved settings.
This makes it important to reimagine mental health care through a broader psychosocial lens that considers socioeconomic factors shaping mental health.
How Atmiyata is addressing this gap
Atmiyata (empathy) is an evidence-based, low-cost community-led intervention focused on integrating mental health and social care to improve wellbeing and economic stability in communities.
The intervention uses a stepped-care approach, using community-based volunteers called Atmiyata Champions, who are trained, mentored and supervised to conduct four activities.
Provide psychosocial support
Champions identify individuals in distress and provide 4-6 counselling sessions using evidence-based techniques to those with common mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety.
Make referrals to the public health system
Champions refer people with severe mental health conditions to public mental health services when required.
Facilitate access to social benefits
Champions enable access to social care benefits such as pension, disability support, and unemployment allowances as well as provide information on social benefits for family members.
Sensitise community members
Champions build awareness of everyday social stressors using the Atmiyata app to narrowcast short films based on the social determinants of mental health.
Together, Atmiyata’s model reflects a broader vision: to centre communities as a key resource for mental health care, make care accessible to those in distress, and address mental health needs in ways that are socially relevant, sustainable, and scalable.
Built on the three tenets: Connect, Support, Sustain, Atmiyata seeks to transform how mental health care is delivered in communities.