Caritas India–NIMHANS build community psychosocial care capacity in Kerala

When landslides struck Wayanad and Vilangad in 2024, families lost far more than homes, land, and livelihoods. A deep sense of safety and control was shattered. Survivors woke up to buried houses, uprooted lives and an uncertain future. Long after the debris was cleared, anxiety, sleeplessness, irritability, and silent grief lingered, especially among those who lost loved ones or faced repeated displacement.

Recognising that disasters leave lasting psychological scars, Caritas India, with the support of Caritas Internationalis, moved beyond physical reconstruction to prioritise mental health and psychosocial support. Under the Safe Within, Reconnect Wayanad & Vilangad project, the second phase of its humanitarian response, Caritas India partnered with the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) to strengthen community-based psychosocial care in affected areas.

From 15 to 18 December 2025, two intensive training batches were conducted for 60 community-level counsellors and volunteers working in landslide-affected villages. Participants included project coordinators, befriending counsellors and barefoot counsellors from diocesan partners WSSS Mananthavady, Shreyas Bathery, Jeevana Calicut, and COD Thamarassery.

The training was led by Dr. Jaikumar C, Additional Professor, Department of Psychosocial Support in Disaster Management, NIMHANS, along with Dr. Bala Shanathi Niketha and Ms. Akhila V.R. Sessions blended theory with practice through group work, role plays, discussions, and reflection exercises. The approach mirrored real situations faced during home visits, community meetings, and interactions with grieving families.

The programme was inaugurated by Fr. Jinoj Palathedom, Executive Director of WSSS Mananthavady, who spoke about the growing absence of time and emotional connection in today’s fast paced life. He stressed that disaster-affected individuals often carry deep emotional pain and need patient, compassionate listeners. Psychosocial care, he said, is a service that restores dignity, hope, and emotional balance.

The training helped participants understand how disasters affect individuals, families, and communities in different ways. Volunteers learned to identify emotional, physical, social and economic stressors affecting men, women, children, and vulnerable groups in Wayanad and Vilangad. Emphasis was placed on their role as the first line of emotional support, listening without judgement, recognizing signs of distress, and encouraging survivors to share their experiences.

A core component focused on psychosocial first aid, equipping volunteers with practical steps to stabilise distress and restore a sense of safety even months after a disaster. Participants were trained in basic psychosocial triaging, referral pathways for specialised care, and simple documentation methods to track emotional well-being. Sessions also highlighted self-care, acknowledging the risk of burnout and secondary trauma among frontline workers.

An awareness session by Dr. Dayal Narayan, Professor and Head of Psychiatry, Government Medical College Mananthavady, addressed delayed trauma, complicated grief and common mental health conditions in disaster contexts. Participants were also introduced to community-level psychosocial assessment to better plan targeted interventions.

The programme concluded with a valedictory session inaugurated by Mrs. Geetha N.P, Women Protection Officer, Wayanad District. Certificates were distributed to all participants, who shared that the training strengthened their confidence and capacity to support affected communities. Through this partnership, Caritas India is helping survivors rebuild emotional well-being alongside homes and livelihoods, ensuring recovery is holistic, dignified and rooted in hope.