“What are we having this liberty for? We are having this liberty in order to reform our social system, which is full of inequality, discrimination and other things, which conflict with our fundamental rights.” – Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.

Today, on the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti, we at The Blue Dawn will try to echo the teachings of Dr. Ambedkar to the best of our abilities by introducing our website – http://thebluedawn.org/ which will enable people who can access the internet, seek mental health care services without social and economic barriers! We believe that one way to celebrate the life and times of Babasaheb would be to pay our dues to the society that we are a part of.

The Blue Dawn is a mental healthcare support group and a facilitator of mental healthcare services for Bahujans – Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, Nomadic Tribes, and Decriminalised Notified Tribes across all religions

Mental healthcare is an often overlooked part of the healthcare industry. The trauma, both mental and physical, that people from marginalised sections of the society have suffered for centuries will eventually seep into their daily lives and also into the lives of subsequent generations.

The term transgenerational trauma or intergenerational trauma was first used to describe the mental health issues faced by children and grandchildren of Holocaust survivors. Although not directly affected by the atrocities of the Third Reich, the subsequent generations of Holocaust survivors were over-represented in referrals to psychiatrists and mental health experts. Much in the same way, the subsequent generations of historically marginalised sections of the society are still grappling with issues of mental health and well being. Not only is the genesis of these mental health issues unique, but the professional help that one would require in such cases is distinct as well.

The Blue Dawn identifies the need for mental health services that will take into account the structural oppression and caste distress. We, therefore, connect people with affordable, queer-friendly, disabled-friendly and anti-caste mental health services.

We also regularly organize workshops for people living with mental illnesses, students, activists and social workers. Through these workshops, we hope to develop a sentiment of camaraderie among all the people involved. We aim to make the language around mental health more meaningful and less hostile.

We also maintain a blog called The Blue Dawn Writes. This is a platform for people from within the community to share their stories and their struggles or even just a commentary on the socio-political issues around them. One could send in their pitch to us at thebluedawnwrites@gmail.com

We have a WhatsApp group where people can meet others with similar interests and even help each other out in times of need. If you or an acquaintance is experiencing issues with their personal or professional lives, and feel the need to reach out to someone, or if you require professional help, you can write to us at thebluedawn56@gmail.com. We are also reachable on our social media accounts on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. With our new website, we will make the process of getting in touch with a mental health professional a lot easier.

I have been associated with The Blue Dawn for a little over six months, and within that time I have had the pleasure of getting to know some of the most genuine, hard working and selfless individuals in my life. Divya Kandukuri, Pranjali Kureel, Saraschandra Kakumanu, Michael Snook and the entire extended Bluedawn family are credited with bringing this Herculean task to fruition. This is albeit a very small step in a very long and arduous journey of healing together as a community. Nevertheless, it is a step in the right direction. And that is all that counts.

– Dr. Kiran Valake