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Our Impact in Numbers
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Sadholi Kadim Block · Saharanpur District · Western Uttar Pradesh
“Mental wellness is essential and integral part of overall health and wholeness, yet it is not accessible to many people!”
Explore Our Approach Contact the Project
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Total Regd. PPSDs
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CMDs
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SMDs
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EPILEPSY
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IDs
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Others
Overview

Why Mental Health Matters

Mental health is an essential part of overall health and well-being, yet people living in rural part of Indian Community with low-resource settings particularly the western Uttar Pradesh often faces significant barriers to timely, quality, and appropriate mental health care.

The growing burden of mental health conditions affects not only individuals but also families, livelihoods, and communities, making mental health a critical public health priority.

SHIFA-A Community based Mental Health program responds to this need by promoting an inclusive, community-based approach that strengthens local systems, empowers families, and enables people with mental health conditions and disabilities to access care, recover with dignity, and participate fully in community life.

Community mental health group session 1 Community mental health group session 2 Community mental health group session 3
Community mental health group session 1 Community mental health group session 2
Project Intro

SHIFA — "Comfort"

SHIFA, an Urdu word meaning "Comfort" OR "Healing" is the Community-Based Mental Health and Disability Project of Herbertpur Christian Hospital (www.hch-eha.in), launched in April 2012. Now in its 15th year of implementation and fifth phase of growth, SHIFA has evolved from a pioneering community mental health initiative into a trusted programme that strengthens local systems and influences community mental health practice beyond its immediate area of operation.

Rooted in the belief that recovery is possible when healthcare systems, families, and communities work together, SHIFA adopts an integrated, community-based approach that promotes mental well-being, early identification, timely care, disability inclusion, and long-term recovery. The project empowers individuals and families to rebuild their lives with dignity, improve their quality of life, and participate meaningfully in their communities.

Over the years, SHIFA has cultivated strong partnerships with the Government Health Department, Education Department, Panchayati Raj Institutions, frontline workers, and community stakeholders. Today, it is recognised not only as a service provider but also as a valued knowledge partner, contributing practical insights, capacity building, and evidence from the field to strengthen community mental health systems. Through continuous learning, innovation, and collaboration, SHIFA is helping shape and inspire the wider adoption of sustainable, community-based mental health approaches across the region.

Community Leadership

A Community-owned Legacy

From village advocacy groups to a registered Organisation of Persons with Disabilities—discover how SHIFA supported the emergence of community leadership.

Learn More
Project Location

Sadholi Kadim & Muzaffrabad Development Block

SHIFA Mental Health Project began its journey in Sadholi Kadim Community Development Block, located on the western border of Saharanpur district, Uttar Pradesh, adjoining Dehradun district. Situated approximately 25 km from Herbertpur Base Hospital (about a one-hour drive) and 30 km from Saharanpur city, Sadholi Kadim has served as the project's primary intervention area for over a decade.
Over the past ten years, SHIFA has worked closely with communities, local institutions, and government systems to strengthen access to community-based mental health and disability services. The learning, experience, and evidence generated through this sustained engagement created a strong foundation for expansion. Building on these successes, the project has now scaled its interventions to the neighbouring Muzaffarabad Community Development Block, extending its community-based model to reach more vulnerable families while strengthening the local health and social support systems. Today, SHIFA serves a population of approximately 82,000 direct and indirect beneficiaries, working across 30 Gram Panchayats and continuing its commitment to making quality mental health and disability care accessible, inclusive, and community-owned.

Sadholi Kadim Block Terrain
Sadholi Kadim Block
District Saharanpur Road Map
Muzaffarabad Block

Project Profile

Total population coverage 82,000 - Muzaffrabad
13,140 - Sadholi
Target Block, District Saharanpur-Uttar Pradesh Sadholi Kadim & Muzaffrabad
Distance 33 km from Saharanpur Railway Station
25 km from Herbertpur
Gram Panchayats 30 GP - muzaffarabad
10 GP - Sadholi
Villages 68 villages
Community Mental Health Volunteers 23 Community Mental Health Volunteers - MHV
Project Staff 05 (03 male; 02 female)
Year of Implementation April 2012 to March 2015 (1st phase)
April 2015 to March 2018 (2nd phase)
April 2018 to March 2021 (3rd phase)
April 2021 to March 2024 (4th phase)
April 2024 to March 2027 (current phase)
People behind the programme

Meet Our Staff

The core implementation and mentoring team responsible for programme planning, capacity building, supervision, monitoring and coordination.

Mr. Kamal, Project Manager

Ms. Jubin

Program Manager- Disability

Trained in developmental psychology worked with community based rehabilitation for 25 years.

Mr. Kamal, Project Manager

Mr. Kamal

Project Manager

MSW | Leads through strategic vision, team mentorship and the design of community mental health models - integrating mental health with development and shaping it into practice for learning, adaptation and scalability.

Mr. Rajeev Singh, Project Programme Officer

Mr. Rajeev Singh

Project Programme Officer

BSW | 25+ years in community health and development. Leads through strategic programme planning, implementation, field mentoring and mobilising community-led action.

Mr. Abhinav B Bisht, Project Field Officer

Mr. Abhinav B Bisht

Project Field Officer

20+ years in integrated area development, bringing lived experience to strengthen recovery-oriented, family-centred care and empower persons with psychosocial disabilities.

Mrs. Sapana, Community Health Worker

Mrs. Sapana

Community Health Worker

A versatile community health worker fostering trust, strengthening family engagement and promoting equitable access to the project's mental health and well-being services.

Mrs. Sheelpa, Community Health Worker

Mrs. Sheelpa

Community Health Worker

A dedicated community health worker who responds compassionately to community needs, supports caregivers and strengthens linkages with families and local stakeholders.

SHIFA Community Mental Health Volunteers
Team at the field

Our Community Mental Health Volunteers

The trained grassroots workforce that delivers SHIFA's task-sharing model within their own communities.

Explore the volunteer network
Strategic guidance and quality assurance

Project Advisory Group

A team of experts who provide strategic guidance, quality assurance and periodic review of the project.

Dr. Samuel Barnabas Sikha

Dr. Rajkumar

Founder, Rainbow Consultancy

PhD in Management| facilitating Rainbow Consultancy, Lawyer by Profession

Dr. Samuel Barnabas Sikha

Dr. Samuel Barnabas Sikha

Consultant PMR & Primary Mental Health Practitioner

MBBS, MD (PMR), PGD - Mental Health | Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation with 08 years of experience and Primary Mental Health Practitioner for the past 07 years.

Mr. Robert Kumar

Mr. Robert Kumar

Former CH Director, EHA

MSW | UG Community-Based Development - Canada | Visionary, pioneer, team leader and compassionate professional.

Mr. Somesh P Singh

Mr. Somesh P Singh

Dy. Director - CHD-EHA

MSW | Strategic thinker and innovator.

Mr. Martin Sam

Mr. Martin Sam

Manager - Anugrah Disability Project, CHDP-HCH

Master in Rehabilitation Sciences | Championing Community-Based Rehabilitation models for inclusive disability care and trainings.

Mrs. Vinakshi

Mrs. Vinakshi

Manager - Project Community Homes, CHD-EHA

MPT cum Special Education (Intellectual Disability) | Strengthens inclusive community living models and a person-centred approach with persons with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities.

Moments from the field

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