The Center for Advocacy in Mental Health is the executive of the Bapu Trust and is a resource and training center. It’s purpose is to create and share local knowledges and practices on the inclusion of persons with disabilities, by conducting relevant research, trainings, awareness and pilot projects using arts based therapy and other holistic means, to influence an outcome of having great policies for transforming communities for the inclusion of people with (mental and psychosocial) disabilities in India (and in Asia).
The Objectives of the Resource and Training center are
- To reach out to a wide constituency at local, national and international levels on the lessons learnt regarding implementation of the UNCRPD, through partnerships and training programs
- To influence national and regional policies on disabilities inclusive development
- To conduct research of high policy impact
- To create and implement on pilot basis innovative community development, inclusion and psychosocial wellbeing capacity building programs, through strategic partnerships in India and in Asia
Engagement with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)
Since 2007, Bapu Trust moved from working in health to working in an intersectoral, cross disability space. Since CRPD ratification in 2007 BT has trained various stakeholders nationally and in the Asian region; published papers and book chapters on Disability, Development and Human rights; and advanced the vision of the CRPD, especially Article 19. An advocacy timeline is presented here.
(2004) Bhargavi Davar, founding Trustee of Bapu Trust, joined the World Network of Users and Survivors of Psychiatry, as Board Member, resigning in 2008, to focus more on Asia region and mobilization around the CRPD. Bapu Trust became defined in a global context as being led by a user / survivor.
(2005) Dr. Amita Dhanda, founding Trustee of Bapu Trust (1999-2011) worked in the task force of WNUSP towards contributing to drafting of the CRPD. She also mentored key leaders in the sector, through a Study Circle on CRPD. An advocacy booklet on ‘First persons stories of denial of liberty and legal capacity’ was published by Bapu Trust and WNUSP. A book on ‘Self advocacy’ written by Mr Gabor Gombos and Dr. Dhanda was published by Bapu Trust to advance the CRPD.
(2005-2010) BT built large inter-sectoral cross disability alliances, moving from a health approach to an intersectional, cross disability approach. Bapu Trust supported by 7 other NGOs, led a coalition NAAJMI- National Alliance on Access to Justice for “persons living with a Mental Illness” in India. A report “Bill of Rights” was brought out and widely disseminated. BT played an important role in development of capacity on the CRPD as well as a state Mission strategy and policy on mental health, for the Government of Gujarat. Yet another platform for CRPD action was created with an international Ashoka Fellow collaboration on ‘Self advocacy and the UNCRPD’. Gabor Gombos (who later became a CRPD committee member) spent 6 months in India with BT, conducting UNCRPD linked advocacy with a wide spectrum of stakeholders (academics, family organizations, human rights organizations, etc.)
Modelling community services– Seher: BT, since 2008, has been dogged in pursuing CRPD compliance to create an innovative community based model of emotionally sustainable communities, which can support and care for persons with psychosocial disabilities. BT has worked with socially disadvantaged and marginalized disabled persons’ groups (women, children, people living in low income communities) since last 10 years and has a diverse spectrum of psychosocial skill sets to expand choices for persons with mental health problems and psychosocial disabilities.
(2010-2012) Bhargavi Davar was invited to participate in the Expert Committee consultations initiated by government of India, towards drafting a CRPD compliant disability law. Bapu Trust continues to have interest in the evolution of this law, its implementation and harmonization efforts especially in the context of the Mental health law. Through participation in Asia trainings by the International Disability Alliance on the CRPD (ToTAL), Bapu Trust achieved capacity in being an international trainer on the UNCRPD. Through the years, we have conducted CRPD trainings in a variety of contexts and constituencies including various judiciary and legal officers, social workers, and of course, persons with psychosocial disabilities.
BT has an accomplished leadership and track record of research and publications on disability, disability identity and community transformation, in book volumes.
(2011-2014) Bhargavi Davar visited the Philippines, Nepal, Hong Kong, Fiji, Kingdom of Tonga, South Korea, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and China as part of ‘Missions’ on the inclusion of persons with psychosocial disabilities, facilitated dialogues with multiple stakeholders, conducted CRPD trainings where needed and also enabled the start up of groups of persons with psychosocial disabilities in various country contexts.
Since 2014, Bapu Trust has been convenor of the Asia group, ‘Transforming communities for Inclusion, Asia Pacific’ TCI Asia Pacific, organizing annual meetings and providing online support to participating countries on in-country mobilization and regional advocacy. TCI-Asia is an alliance of DPOs in Asia and the Pacific regions, working towards ensuring the full inclusion of persons with psychosocial disabilities. TCI has initiated, led or participated in a variety of regional and global advocacy actions with respect to Monitoring the CRPD, making submissions when opportunities arise.
