Mental Illness, widely mentioned alas not deeply discussed- The inception of this event was from a single trail of questioning “We see so many individuals on the streets showing qualities of being mentally unstable. Seldom do we stop to acknowledge them. Rarely do we take the step to help them. But one thing we all do in common, is show blind ignorance to their plight. As a society are we being arrogantly neglectful or helplessly aware?”

On 24th August, 2025 as the Indian Society for Universal Dialogue, we took our first step towards ameliorating awareness on mental health in the legal sphere by holding a panel discussion under our India@100series initiative of deliberating on such significant yet latent topic “Vulnerable, Yet Forgotten: Rethinking and Responding to Society’s Attitude towards Mental Illness- Placing Emphasis on Women” at the Auditorium, School of Excellence in Law, The Tamil Nadu Dr. Ambedkar Law University, Chennai.

The discussion was curated to provide special emphasis on women especially the ones belonging to the vulnerable sections of the society, who stay the fateful victim to social, economic and cultural evils. Many women in India are financially dependent on a man and live under stressful conditions. When they become mentally unstable, the family unfailingly abandons them, leaving them with no means of maintenance and stability needed to regain balance. Forget medical treatment, this way they are stripped of even the bare essentials of life: Food, Shelter, and a sense of safety, pushing them to a pitiful and vulnerable state.

The discussion aimed at analyzing the benefits already in existence to not only counter the ordeals of such individuals but to go further and envision a better scenario than the present for their livelihood. This included a deep analysis of the in effect Mental Health Care Act, 2017, community-based mental health care models and inclusive policy reforms.

We were delighted to have with us renowned luminaries from all pertinent fields of this discussion including:

Dr. Mangala – Senior Psychiatrist, SCARF India; Dr. K. S. Ramesh – Director - Academics, The Banyan & BALM; Ms. Kalyananthy Satchithanantham – Educationist, TN Widows and Destitute Women Welfare Board and; Adv. Adhilakshmi Logamurthy – Advocate/ADR-Neutral, High Court of Madras

The discussion explored the complexities of mental illness and the potential paradox that the law could conceive. Legal experts highlighted the need for stronger mental health rights and institutional accountability.

Dr. Mangala and Dr. Ramesh shared successful models of community-based care and emphasised the importance of inclusive, localised mental health systems.

Adv. Adhilakshmi Logamurthy discussed the legal framework, stressing the judiciary’s role in advocating for humane treatment and policy reforms.

Ms. Kalyananthy Satchithanantham highlighted how women from economically disadvantaged backgrounds face compounded challenges due to systemic neglect.

This was followed by a highly interactive Q&A session brought forth personal testimonies, reflective questions, and an overall call for grassroots-level reform and education. The success of the event was defined by the safe space that the event provided people with. Many came forward expressing their real life struggles.

The aim of the event was to gather people who could take this thought process home and make a conceivable change in the lives of these stakeholders was achieved as we saw active participation from the audience that included students from the field of social work, psychology, public policy, and law. 

The event successfully sparked a meaningful dialogue on how mental illness is both visible and invisible in society too often recognised only in stereotype or crisis.