A ten -year -old boy sits quietly in the corner of the adoption of juveniles in Hyderabad and avoids eye contact.
A few months ago, a couple was adopted, who eagerly gave him a new life. Within a few weeks, however, he was returned to a youthful house, he could not adapt, download and fear. For him it was the second rejection, first a family he never knew, then the one he thought would finally stay.
On World Mental Health Day, observed annually on October 10, stories like this, the heart of psychiatry in your threshold (payd), Roshini Trust, which defines community care for mental health in Hyderabad and Secunderabad.
Payd was launched in 2022 and brings psychiatric treatment, counseling and free medicines directly to homes and institutions of people who are located who do not have access to care.
“We started to address individuals who needed help but could not come to us. We soon realized that the need was much larger, especially in state homes and juvenile institutions where trauma is running deep and no one is to listen to their stories,” says Shanthi, one of Roshni.
Through the formal memorandum of understanding with the Department of Women’s Development and Child Care, the initiative is now working inside juvenile houses, children’s care centers and adoption agencies throughout the city. Every week in these facilities, clinical psychologists and psychiatrists from Roshini Trust camps are carried out and addresses concerns about mental health from depression, anxiety, bipolar disorders and schizophrenia to trauma, anger and abuse of addictive substances.
Psychological assessment
In Shishu Vihar in Ameerpet, teams Payd perform an evaluation for children aged several days for adolescents waiting for adoption. These psychological assessments are mandatory according to the instructions of the Central Adoption Source (CARA) to determine the levels of IQ, disability and emotional readiness before the child with the family.
However, the team’s work does not stop in diagnosis. In older children, especially those aged between 10 and 14 years, Roshini performs a group consultancy through game therapy, combining recreation and emotional learning.
“We don’t just sit over the table and we’re talking. We are playing, laughing, and at these times the children are beginning to express what they have been holding for years,” Shanti explains.
When attempts to adopt fail, Roshini’s advisor enters again.
“Adoptive parents feel helpless many times. They come from loving homes, but do not know how to handle a child who steals or uses a foul, behavior that learns from the years of survival on the streets. We tell them not to give up.
Healing trauma
PayD teams also work inside youthful houses in Saidabad and Gajlalarama, where boys and girls participate in minor crimes or cases under the POCSO Act. Advisors help them understand the consequences, identify the triggers and plan education or vocational education after release. The session led to visible improvement of behavior and renewed hope.
“Our psychologists travel over 40 kilometers to achieve some of these houses. We see it as our moral responsibility. If you look into the child’s eyes and see how they finally smile after years of silence, that’s a reward,” Shanthi admits.
Partnership for a wider impact
The cooperation of the initiative with the safety wing of women on the TELANGANA and BHAROSA Police has expanded its reach to the surviving domestic violence and sexual assault. Recommendations from 32 police stations in Hyderabad are provided by psychiatric evaluation, therapy and medicines. Of these services, 250 individuals benefit from these services.
Published – October 9, 2025 20:11
