Support Network

Mental Health Support Foundation (MHSF)

MHSF is a registered NGO and a peer-led support initiative.This is a community of persons living with mental health conditions and their immediate caregivers. Headquartered in Malad, Mumbai, MHSF serves a pan-India community throughin-person and virtual interactions, creating a safe and supportive space for connection and growth

MHSF welcomes individuals with mental health conditions and their caregivers, regardless of caste, religion, or socio-economic background. Recognizing that families are a key part of the mental health care ecosystem, MHSF runs “Family’s Nest”—a dedicated support group designed to meet the unique needs of family caregivers. Operating almost 24/7, this group provides psychosocial support, guidance, timely information on resources, and access to workshops tailored for caregivers.

The community hosts regular meetups for both peers and family caregivers in both online and offline formats. MHSF also organizes expert-led sessions, inviting prominent specialists to provide valuable insights and knowledge to the community, including caregivers. In addition, MHSF is committed to offering crisis support during severe health episodes, ensuring a reliable safety net for those in need.

Community membership and events are free of charge, while workshops are either free or highly subsidized, typically held on weekends. Caregivers can join the community for support and events updates by filling out the Contact Us Form or contact them at info@mhs.foundation

Agatsu Foundation

Agatsu is a non-profit organization dedicated to mental health and well-being. Based in Bandra, Mumbai, it serves as a community center offering a variety of activities, workshops, and events—either free of cost or at minimal charges. The center provides a welcoming environment for relaxation, learning, and social connection.

Agatsu hosts an online Caregiver Peer Support Group every alternate Wednesday from 6:00 to 7:00 PM. This group offers a supportive space for caregivers to connect, share experiences, and find understanding among peers facing similar challenges. It is open to anyone in a caregiving role, including family members, friends, or others supporting individuals with mental health conditions, chronic illnesses, or long-term conditions.

Community Center Hours: Open from Wednesday to Sunday, 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Agatsu offers a diverse range of activities and events focused on enhancing mental well-being and emotional hygiene. Everyone is welcome to join this supportive community.

Contact them at contact@agatsufoundation.org or on +91 91678 67741

DEMCARES, an Initiative by SCARF

The Centre for Active Ageing, DEMCARES is a dementia-friendly facility located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, offering tailored therapies for individuals with dementia and comprehensive support for their families and caregivers. Their services include psychoeducation to help families understand dementia, recognize symptoms, explore treatment options, and develop effective coping strategies. They also provide caregiver training, equipping them with communication skills to better interact with individuals with dementia while emphasizing the importance of self-care. To support caregivers further, DEMCARES offers counselling sessions to help manage stress and prevent burnout. Additionally, they run a comprehensive course designed to enhance caregiving skills and provide online resources for continuous support. A minimum fee of ₹500 is charged for these services, and work on pre-booking appointment basis.

The center is open from Monday to Saturday, 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM. For more information and appointment booking, you can reach them at +91-73585 88822 or dementia@scarfindia.org.

Caregiver Saathi

Caregiver Saathi is an ecosystem that enables compassionate caring by providing community support, learning tools, and a range of curated services for home-based care. Their offerings are designed to ease the challenges faced by families caring for loved ones with chronic health conditions while promoting caregiver well-being.

Caregiver Saathi offers support groups where caregivers can connect with peers, share experiences, and find emotional support in a safe and understanding environment. These groups are available in both online and offline formats, catering to specific conditions as well as general caregiving needs. They also provide a rich repository of content, including blogs on well-being, personal caregiving stories, videos with real-life experiences and expert insights, and free self-help tools like handbooks and toolkits.

To enhance caregiving skills, Caregiver Saathi offers self-paced eLearning courses, ranging from free foundational courses to paid in-depth modules on caregiving and holistic wellbeing. Their services are accessible to family caregivers, professional caregivers, healthcare workers, and organizations. Resources can be accessed through their website, support groups, or personalized consultations.

Operating from Monday to Saturday, 10 AM to 6 PM IST, Caregiver Saathi’s online services are available across India, with offline events in select cities. For more information, contact bhavana.issar@caregiversaathi.co.in or +91-9833312168.

Why should I call the helpline when I can talk to a friend or a family member?

While talking to a friend or family member may be comforting, there is a risk that they might bring their own biases and judgements to the conversation. There may also be things that we don’t want our loved ones to know—thoughts and emotions that cause us anxiety, guilt or shame; or painful emotions that they might not be able to handle.

The mental health professionals at Mann Talks are trained in the art of listening and offer a safe space without any bias or judgement. This will allow you to speak more freely than you would with someone you know. They are also trained to be able to understand your pain and situation, and help you resolve your issues.

Will the helpline tell my family about the things I share?

At Mann Talks, we prioritize confidentiality, dignity and respect of the caller. Our mental health professionals will not share anything you discuss with anyone else. The only time confidentiality may be broken is if the mental health professional feels you might harm yourself, or those around you.

In any other circumstance, what you share remains confidential.

What if I don’t like who I’m talking to?

It is important to feel comfortable with the mental health professional you’re accessing treatment from. If you feel like the professional you’ve been assigned/are speaking to isn’t a good fit for you, it’s okay to request a different one.

Don’t feel pressured to continue to talk to a professional you don’t like—after all, Mann Talks is for your wellbeing, and your comfort comes first.

Organizations offering support, resources, and community for caregivers across India.