At a State-run juvenile adoption home in Hyderabad, a 10-year-old boy sits quietly in a corner, avoiding eye contact.
Months ago, he was adopted by a couple eager to give him a new life. Within weeks, however, he was returned to the juvenile home, unable to adjust, withdrawn and fearful. For him, it was a second rejection, first by the family he never knew, then by the one he thought would finally stay.
On World Mental Health Day, observed annually on October 10, stories like this form the heart of Psychiatry At Your Doorstep (PAYD), an initiative by Roshini Trust that is redefining community mental healthcare in Hyderabad and Secunderabad.
Launched in 2022, PAYD brings psychiatric treatment, counselling, and free medication directly to people’s homes and institutions housing those who cannot access care.
“We started with the idea of reaching individuals who needed help but could not come to us. Soon, we realised the need was far bigger, especially in State homes and juvenile institutions, where trauma runs deep and there’s nobody to listen to their stories,” says Shanthi, one of the trustees of Roshni.
Through a formal MoU with Telangana’s Department of Women Development and Child Welfare, the initiative now works inside juvenile homes, child welfare centres, and adoption agencies across the city. Each week, clinical psychologists and psychiatrists from Roshini Trust conduct camps at these facilities, addressing mental health concerns ranging from depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia to trauma, anger and substance abuse.
Psychological evaluations
At Shishu Vihar in Ameerpet, PAYD teams conduct assessments for children as young as a few days old to adolescents awaiting adoption. These psychological evaluations are mandatory under the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) guidelines to determine IQ levels, disabilities, and emotional readiness before a child is matched with a family.
But the team’s work does not stop at diagnosis. For older children, especially those aged between 10 and 14, Roshini conducts group counselling sessions through play therapy, combining recreation and emotional learning.
“We don’t just sit across the table and talk. We play, we laugh, and through those moments, children start to express what they have been holding in for years,” Shanti explains.
When adoption attempts fail, Roshini’s counsellors step in again.
“Many times, the adoptive parents feel helpless. They come from loving homes but don’t know how to handle a child who steals or uses foul language, behaviour that’s learned from years of survival on the streets. We tell them not to give up. We counsel both sides and try to bridge that emotional gap,” she says.
Healing trauma
The PAYD teams also work inside juvenile homes in Saidabad and Gajularamaram, where boys and girls involved in petty offences or cases under the POCSO Act undergo counselling and rehabilitation. Counsellors help them understand consequences, identify triggers, and plan for education or vocational training after release. The sessions have led to visible behavioural improvements and restored hope.
“Our psychologists travel over 40 kilometres to reach some of these homes. We see it as our moral responsibility. When you look into a child’s eyes and see them finally smile after years of silence, that’s the reward,” Shanthi admits.
Partnerships for wider impact
The initiative’s collaboration with the Women’s Safety Wing of the Telangana Police and Bharosa has expanded its reach to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Referrals from 32 police stations in Hyderabad are provided psychiatric evaluation, therapy, and medication. On average, 250 individuals benefit from these services every month.
Published – October 09, 2025 08:11 pm IST
