| Abstract: | This paper explores the intersection of mental health, social inequality, and systemic change through a case study of Goa, with particular focus on the COOJ Mental Health Foundation and complementary initiatives by government and civil society. Despite Goa’s relatively high literacy and income levels, the state records one of the highest suicide rates in India, widespread stigma toward psychiatric disabilities, and critical gaps in geriatric mental health care. Structural inequalities such as rural-urban healthcare access, economic precarity in Goa’s tourism-driven economy, and bureaucratic hurdles in accessing welfare benefits compound the mental health burden across age groups. COOJ’s programs in suicide prevention, psychosocial rehabilitation, supported employment, and geriatric outreach offer a community-based model of inclusive care. Meanwhile, state-run services such as the Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour face infrastructure and funding challenges. Drawing on recent data, media reports, and policy documents, this paper examines how civil society initiatives fill governance gaps and push for rights-based reforms. It argues that Goa’s experience underscores the urgent need for integrated policy, intersectoral coordination, and de-stigmatization at scale. The paper concludes by positioning mental health as not merely a medical issue but a deeply political one, tied to questions of access, representation, and democratic inclusion. It invites a rethinking of social policy frameworks to foreground the mental health needs of marginalized and underserved communities. |
