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This study examines the multifaceted challenges faced by mentally ill women in developing countries, with a particular focus on India. Drawing on research from various sources, including studies conducted in India, the paper highlights several critical issues affecting mentally ill women, such as societal misconceptions about mental illness, legal vulnerabilities, caregiving burdens, and the absence of state-supported programs. The study underscores the urgent need for comprehensive government interventions to address these challenges, including legal protections, access to healthcare and support services, efforts to combat stigma, and targeted interventions for vulnerable populations, such as homeless individuals with mental illness. Despite ongoing efforts, gaps in the availability and utilization of rehabilitation services persist, especially for women. The paper calls for continued advocacy, policy reform, and community support to address gender disparities and improve the effectiveness of rehabilitation services, ultimately striving for a future where mental health is prioritized and all individuals have the opportunity to thrive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adequate housing or shelter has received a huge emphasis as a human right, as analysed from the various International Humanitarian Norms and the domestic legislations, as well. It has been considered as a fundamental element to foster the positive development. In the neo-liberal world order, the socio-economic disparity has resulted in a large number of children and youth into homelessness, which makes them vulnerable to a number of life threatening risks. To secure and safeguard their rights, alternative care emerged as a response. But, the alternative care is not been considered sustainable. As the Care Leavers do not immediately find the suitable place for shelter, livelihood gets them caught in limbo, which demands the need to have a suitable After-Care framework for Care Leavers that would protect and safeguard their lives. With this information in background, this paper is an attempt to bring the systematic assessment of the housing for Care Leavers in India. Building evidence from the existing research findings and taking International Humanitarian Norms as a guiding framework, this paper advocates for the housing rights for the Care Leavers and will introduce a framework, which could be utilized by relevant stakeholders to provide a holistic intervention. This study utilizes the descriptive research design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban homeless peoples are always invisible and neglected in public policy, and they are treated as non-citizens in our cities. The paper investigated the living experiences of urban homelessness in the rapidly expanding city of Siliguri- 'the gateway of north-east India'. A case study method using qualitative in-depth interviews and observation techniques has been applied to understand their significant problems and issues. The findings suggest that they have been forced to live in deplorable conditions since they are marginalized and ignored in every fundamental aspect of life. Basic human rights and access to basic amenities are forbidden to them, even they are not permitted and struggle to survive in the vacant space of the city. Surviving on the streets generally entails surviving in a physically and mentally challenging environment, with denial of fundamental human rights, lack of employment, and even no guaranteed nutritious food; they are turning themselves into drug addicts, criminals, and lawbreakers. The study also reveals that some specific homeless groups, including women, children, and elders, are the most vulnerable, and their threats to various menaces are even cumulated during the night. Even though they have equal opportunity and "right to the city," these marginalized individuals have no place to assert their fundamental rights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inclusion is a multi-faceted concept. Growth is said to be inclusive when it allows all members of the society to participate in, contribute to, and benefit from the growth process on an equal basis, regardless of individual circumstances. But, the fact is that the growth in India, and in other countries, too, has not so far been very inclusive. The number of people living below poverty line, illiteracy, increased number of child abuse and child labors, Millions of homeless people on the roads are some of the indicators of exclusion. Inclusive growth, therefore, should become a major policy priority and everyone must share the benefits of growth. The present paper develops a sketch of the homeless people in two metro cities of India in view towards ensuring inclusive growth and reducing the problem of homelessness. The homeless are excluded community in several aspects. However, the paper attempts to measure only the extent of homelessness and the causes of homelessness. The paper is based on primary data and analysis is done using regression model and Binary Logit model. This homeless profile is expected to give an understanding to the academicians and policy makers and throw light on the extent of poverty and causes of homelessness; to reassess and improve on the existing methodologies and suggest new and alternative policies to help people bring them to the mainstream and make growth inclusive. The objectives of this paper are; 1. To analyze the extent of exclusiveness with special reference to homeless people 2. To examine the causes of homelessness and 3. To suggest policy measures [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a global recognition that the homeless in different clusters are isolated social groups. They are highly susceptible to loneliness and related psycho‐physical health outcomes owing to their less supportive and fragmented social networks. The conditions are worse in the case of chronic or lifetime homelessness. Beyond this popular notion, other critical perspectives are also there. This paper attempts to analyse the differences in inter‐personal social networks between the chronic and the non‐chronic homeless groups at a railway junction in India. The data have been collected through structured and semi‐structured questionnaires from 28 homeless people (15 chronically and 13 non‐chronically homeless) of Burdwan Railway Junction – a vital railway junction of West Bengal, India. The chronically homeless group displays more supportive and compact inter‐personal networks in this study than the non‐chronic homeless group. Living in the station area for a long time, they have formed a society of their own. Barring some psychological stress and social abuse, the livelihood scenario of these people is relatively stress‐free and social networks relations are more intensive and supportive. Considering the outcomes, instead of the housing‐first approach of rehabilitation, we favour the development of community shelters with minimum basic amenities close to their present location. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Family abandonment and rejection resulting in homelessness are detrimental to women diagnosed with mental illness in India. A majority of the literature related to homelessness holds a western background, and women's homelessness in relation to mental illness is relatively unexplored in the Indian context. This review was conducted to understand the sociocultural factors influencing family rejection and to synthesize the living situation of institutionalized women with mental illness in India. Methods: Literature search in electronic databases (PubMed, Google Scholar), carried out using appropriate keywords, and a manual search in the library catalog. Results: As per the selection criteria, 19 reports, including original research articles and conceptual papers, were included and reviewed. Conclusion: There is a shortage of methodologically sound research in understanding the connection of mental illness–women homelessness–and the institutionalization scenario. This review highlights the necessity of shifting focus from institutionalization to innovative psychiatric rehabilitation strategies using the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This mixed-methods, exploratory study investigates the gambling activities of street youth in Mumbai, India. Data from surveys and brief interviews of 70 youth aged 12–24, two focus groups, and ethnographic observations offer descriptive snapshots of the gambling behavior of participants. The article includes details about games played, popular venues, initiation patterns, time spent gambling, and interactions with the police. Street youth gamble for social benefits, such as group membership and fun; it is also a leisure activity enabling time to go by quickly. Individual benefits include intermittent rewards and a high after winning or being referred to as a gambler. The inability to save, the lack of recreation options, living in groups, and the environment of the streets structure and sustain gambling. This study discusses the group and social dimension of gambling among street youth, and how this dimension makes their participation different from adolescent gambling in general and General Addictions Theory. It contributes to the literature by emphasizing that for street youth the social/group aspects of gambling predominate the psychological. The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications for practice, highlighting the need to develop recreational, income-saving, and educational awareness programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Homelessness has shattered democracies worldwide. This study uses a doctrinal approach, employing content analysis, especially relational content analysis, to examine the underlying factors and difficulties associated with homelessness among women. The study notably focuses on the issue of police violence directed at this marginalised population and sheds light on the vulnerable position of homeless women, highlighting the crucial responsibility of governments under Parens Patriae to protect their lives and freedoms. The study argues that homelessness is fundamentally inconsistent with the principles of human dignity. The findings highlight the constitutional violations committed against homeless women in India, contravening the principles enshrined in Articles 14, 19, and 21, as well as the directives specified in Articles 39(1), 42, and 47. The findings indicate that the social welfare efforts implemented by the state are in line with the objectives of SDGs. This highlights the importance of adopting more focused approaches to address the issue of homelessness among women. Moreover, the study examines the legal framework of the United Kingdom, taking into account the influence of India's colonial history, and investigates the current practices of democratic nations and the role of the protagonist played by the Indian Judiciary in addressing homelessness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although homelessness is extensive in India, there has been little research on the rural dimension. This study examines the social and legal regulation of homelessness in India, focusing on the rural areas and providing a case-study of Goa. The term 'vagrancy' is used in the title of the paper in order to reflect the nature of legislation which criminalizes the vagrant individual perhaps more than other forms of homelessness. Historically, British Raj legislation on Criminal Tribes and vagrancy is contrasted with the Portuguese religious charitable perspective adopted in Goa. This is complemented by a contemporary case-study of the regulation of homelessness in the state of Goa. Goa is described as the place where the 'new India' and the 'old India' meet, with affluent tourists (both Indian and Western) encountering the 'old India' of poverty and homelessness among the migrant workers who service the tourist industry. Particular reference is made to the case of the Lamani-defined as a gypsy group-who are often constructed as the main cause of social ills within the state. This historical and socio-legal analysis is complemented by reference to fieldwork conducted in Goa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Education is crucial in the transformation of a civilization into a civilized country. It accelerates the country's progress in all areas of national activity. Despite the fact that we have several rules and policies relating to the Right to Education, we have yet to accomplish this right as a developmental right, "as provided in the constitution with an intention to be implemented over a period of time. The aim has not been met since independence, as evidenced by educational backwardness and poverty, particularly among some sectors of the community who have endured social discrimination. The educational system does not operate in a vacuum in a society in which it is embedded, there are various factors influencing its effective implementation. Children's access to school and engagement in the learning process are heavily influenced by unequal social, economic, and power relationships. The differences in school access and attainment between different social and economic classes in India are evidence of this. This paper aims to mention the various laws and rights in India related to the education of child beggars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How does the status of ‘street children’ in life inflect the narrative representation of their deaths? Street-dwelling children's interactions with death in North India reveal much about how their identities are produced in public domains. In this paper, I examine several instances of ‘homeless child’ death to illuminate the place of such subjects in society and urban space, and to interrogate the degree to which they can be rendered ‘recognizable’ or ‘grievable’, in Butler's (2010) terminology. In particular, I explore the presence or absence of kin in the ways that child death is narrated. I also explore the related question of how living ‘vagabond (aawara) children’ situate their status in narratives of death and loss. I conclude with discussions of how children negotiate their orientations towards death through ghost narratives, and of the space-, economy- and age-bound assignment of pollutive tasks once reserved for low castes to street-dwelling children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Statistically speaking, there has been a sturdy increase in the number of homeless girls and women in India. This article investigates the issue of in-house violence and homelessness among young girls and women in India. Also, it aims to map their transition from their Home to the State After Care Homes, and present the forms of distress they undergo within these institutions. To examine this, an ethnographic study of a State After Care Home for homeless women was performed. The study focuses on the lived experiences of homelessness and rehabilitation of the women within these homes. On the whole, the paper points that 'Care' as a 'Right' has been a continually undermined and undervalued feature of women's life as a result of which they experience multifarious forms of violence inside and outside their homes. As the number of homeless population and requirement of shelter homes are increasing, these formal institutions and public arrangements must respond to the changing values and attitudes in the larger society [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The article discusses the psychological disorders that have arisen as a result of the pandemic-driven industrial recession. The pandemic and subsequent economic downturn have led to job loss, homelessness, and an increase in domestic violence. The article emphasizes the importance of considering cultural context when addressing these psychological disorders, particularly in a diverse country like India. The article also highlights the challenges in diagnosing and managing mental health disorders due to cultural differences and societal norms. It suggests that strategies for dealing with these disorders should be tailored to specific cultural factors. [Extracted from the article]

Due to barriers in accessing and using healthcare services, a large proportion of the care homeless populations receive comes from informal providers. In Delhi, one such informal programme, called Street Medicine, provides healthcare outreach to homeless communities. Clinical practice guidelines are set to be developed for Street Medicine teams in India and form the object of this research. This study uses a social-ecological model to understand the barriers facing Street Medicine teams and the homeless as they attempt to address the latter's healthcare needs; coupling it with an analytical approach which situates these barriers as the issues within practice through which standardisation can take place. A qualitative inquiry, comprising three months of observations of Street Medicine outreach and interviews with over 30 key informants, was conducted between April and July 2018. The analysis identified novel barriers to addressing the needs of homeless individuals, which bely a deficit between the design of health and social care systems and the agency homeless individuals possess within this system to influence their health outcomes. These barriers – which include user-dependent technological inscriptions, collaborating with untargeted providers and the distinct health needs of homeless individuals – are the entry points for standardising, or opening up, Street Medicine practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India enacted the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 (MHCA 2017) on April 7, 2017 to align and harmonize with United Nations Convention on Persons with Disabilities and the principles of prioritizing human rights protection. While MHCA 2017 is oriented toward the rights of the patients, the rights of the family members and professionals delivering treatment, care, and support to persons with severe mental disorder (SMD) often suffer. MHCA 2017 mandates discharge planning in consultation with the patients for admitted patients and makes the service providers responsible for ensuring continuity of care in the community. The concerns surrounding the chances of relapse and recurrence when a person with a SMD stops medications continue to remain largely unaddressed. The rights-based MHCA 2017 makes it difficult for the prevailing practices of surreptitious treatment by the family/caregiver and proxy consultations on behalf of the patients. This will, in turn, lead to increased chances of relapse, risk of violence, homelessness, stigma, and suicide in persons with SMDs in the community, largely due to noncompliance to treatment. This will also result in increased caregiver burden and burnouts and may also cause disruptions in the family and the community. To strike a balance over the current MHCA 2017, there is a need to amend or bring-forth a new law rooted in the principles of community treatment order. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: A significant number of homeless mentally ill (HMI) patients without any personal, family or other identification details represent a unique problem in the psychiatric services of developing countries like India in the context of legal, humanitarian and treatment issues. These patients pose challenge to the mental health professional in diagnosis and management. Aims: To study the sociodemographic and clinical profiles of HMI patients admitted under psychiatry. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of ‘HMI’ patients from 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2015, who were admitted to the Department of Psychiatry at National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, India. Sociodemographic and clinical profiles of the patients were analyzed by descriptive statistics. Results: Mean age of the sample was 34.6 years (±12.21 years), 42 (53.8%) were females, 74 (94.9%) were registered as Medico Legal Case and 53 (80.8%) were admitted under reception order issued by a magistrate. HMI patients brought by police were 32 (41.0%), by the public were 32 (41.0%) and 14 (18.0%) by nongovernmental organization /ambulance/social worker. In total, 51 (65.4%) of them had schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, 24 (30.8%) had mental retardation and 23 (29.5%) had a comorbid substance use disorder. The mean Clinical Global Impression severity at admission was 5.07 (±1.7), and the mean duration of inpatient care was 15 weeks. Anemia and malnutrition were found in 34 (43.6%) and 25 (32.1%) patients, respectively. Conclusion: This study shows that schizophrenia, comorbid mental retardation and substance use disorder are common causes of admission of HMI patients in psychiatry. It is an emerging problem, which needs urgent interventions, and there is a need for an efficient system, guidelines and collaboration with government and nongovernmental agencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the efficacy of a 4-month program combining motivational interviewing and cognitive behavior intervention on substance-using street adolescents in India. The study followed classical experimental design and the subjects were randomly assigned to control and experimental groups. Readiness to change questionnaire and Adolescent Relapse Coping Questionnaire tools were used for the evaluation of the intervention program. At the baseline, majority of the respondents in both the groups were at the precontemplation stage of motivation. At the end of the 3rd month of the intervention, there was a significant difference, χ2 = 31.139, df = 2, p < .001, between the 2 groups on the stages of motivation. The study’s limitations are noted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay examines the spaces across societies in which persons with severe mental illness lose meaningful social roles and are reduced to 'bare life.' Comparing ethnographic and interview data from the United States and India, we suggest that these processes of exclusion take place differently: on the street in the United States, and in the family household in India. We argue that cultural, historical, and economic factors determine which spaces become zones of social abandonment across societies. We compare strategies for managing and treating persons with psychosis across the United States and India, and demonstrate that the relative efficiency of state surveillance of populations and availability of public social and psychiatric services, the relative importance of family honor, the extent to which a culture of psychopharmaceutical use has penetrated social life, and other historical features, contribute to circumstances in which disordered Indian persons are more likely to be forcefully 'hidden' in domestic space, whereas mentally ill persons in the United States are more likely to be expelled to the street. However, in all locations, social marginalization takes place by stripping away the subject's efficacy in social communication. That is, the socially 'dead' lose communicative efficacy, a predicament, following Agamben, we describe as 'bare voice.' [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]