NIRMITEE was founded in 2007 for promoting rational mentality through integrated training, education and empowerment. A patient suffering from mental illness needs the support of family and friends for recovery. However, there are various hurdles in the acceptance of mental health services such as stigma, discrimination, unnecessary fear & misconceptions. NIRMITEE works towards spreading awareness about mental health issues.

NIRMITEE works towards educating and empowering members of the community to help spread awareness and acceptance of mental health illnesses. It has arranged several community programs in the form of public speeches, poster exhibitions, street–plays, various competitions, symposia, film screenings etc.

We have been fortunate to have able individuals from society having different professional backgrounds have volunteered their time with us towards increasing awareness and access to mental health facilities in the society. Volunteers can even receive basic training if they wish before working with NIRMITEE.

NIRMITEE has worked on sensitive awareness issues such as schizophrenia. One such project COPSI – (Community Care for Patients with Schizophrenia in India) dealing with community treatment for patients with schizophrenia patients in Chennai, Satara & Goa. Dr. Animish Chavan, Dr. Vaishali Chavan and Prachi Mastoli were researchers in this internationally acclaimed project. They also provided training to amateur psychiatric health workers recruited for this project. This project helped in reducing the stigma & discrimination of the patients & their care givers and also helped improve their adherence to the treatment & the quality of their life.