The Raahat Project: Improving Mental Health of Queer Youth

Queer mental health is a globally neglected crisis. In a demographically young region like South Asia, where an estimated 45.4 million LGBTQIA++ individuals live in India alone, the well-being of the queer community, particularly its youth (18-24), remains deeply neglected and at risk. This issue is particularly acute in the demographically youthful region of South Asia, among which India alone is home to an estimated 45.4 million LGBTQIA++ individuals. The well-being of this community, especially among youth aged 18-24, remains deeply disregarded and placed at profound risk due to the pervasive social stigma, institutionalized discrimination, and cruel familial rejection they face, subjecting them to unique life stressors unencountered by their heterosexual counterparts.

Religion-based disapproval and cultural beliefs that multiply acceptance barriers for LGBTQIA++ youth also affect their mental health. Even within the community, a diversity of gender and sexual identities i.e. kothi, panthi, jogappa are often excluded and unrepresented. Unable to find acceptance, LGBTQIA++ populations are often subjected to abuse, corrective rapes, and conversion therapies. This leads to extreme stress from being queer and leads to denialism, self-hate, and self-harm negatively impacting their mental health lifelong. As a result, queer youth end up suffering from higher rates of depression, anxiety disorders, and substance use than their heterosexual peers. 

Moreover, deep taboos in South Asia inhibit open discussions about sexuality or mental health within families, communities, and educational institutions. This has profound implications for the mental health and well-being of LGBTQIA++ youth, resulting in an erasure and denial of their identity and heightened levels of social isolation, discrimination, and familial violence.

Recognising this gap in information, knowledge, affirmative support and narratives but also structural barriers, over the past 2 years, The Raahat Project has worked with LGBTQIA++ youth communities in select universities across India to build and pilot a youth-led multilingual technology-based Mental Health Awareness, and Self-Care online program to reduce self-stigma and improve mental health literacy and self-care capability of LGBTQIA++ youth. 

Raahat is designed as a participatory learning and support platform by youth for youth and combines the learning program with the need for privacy and anonymity. It also includes online workshops to improve mental health literacy and self-care for LGBTQIA++ youth. This work is founded on the principles and work of the Minority Stress Model (Meyer ) and uses key approaches such as  Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) (Hayes, Strosahl & Wilson, 2012), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) (Beck, 1964) and Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) (Gilbert, 2010). 

While The Raahat Project has laid the groundwork for mental health literacy and self-care among queer folx, this pilot needs to be expanded as there remains a gap in providing a comprehensive, differentiated, multilingual and accessible solution that provides inclusive information, support and self-care strategies for LGBTQIA++ individuals in South Asia. This requires an expansion of this solution to different platforms, languages, geographies and cultural contexts.

Our solution is a comprehensive, multilingual digital learning and support program delivering culturally relevant mental health information, support, and guidance to LGBTQIA++ youth safely and privately via video, text, and audio. It comprises: a) a web-based learning platform (Nazari, AGarmaroudi, GForoushani, A.R. et al.) and b) an accompanying WhatsApp chatbot (to be built) providing accessible, easy-to-understand information and real-time automated support.

Imagine a young, non-English fluent South Asian queer person struggling with denial, self-hate, and mental health due to a lack of understanding about their queer identity in their individual, social, and cultural context. Scared to discuss it with peers, they seek reliable, affirmative, ongoing support and information but face limited literacy and access barriers.

Our platform offers a confidential web-based learning environment and an AI-based WhatsApp chatbot widening mental health information and support reach and accessibility. The self-paced online learning program improves mental health literacy, guidance, and support, helping queer individuals understand their identity, associated unique life stressors, reduce self-stigma, and learn self-care strategies to improve their mental health comprehensibly. Designed as audio-visual and multilingual in key local languages (4) with interwoven local contexts, it addresses literacy, language, and cultural barriers.

The chatbot serves as a multilingual, on-the-go, personal, and confidential resource for LGBTQIA++ youth, providing accessible, engaging narratives, information, and peer or doctor-delivered mental, physical, and sexual health support. It offers accessible, confidential standardized mental health evaluation, culturally sensitive, engaging, affirmative content, and a repository of queer-affirmative healthcare practitioners. Integrating CBT, CAT, and ACT principles, the WhatsApp chatbot includes a life skills component with a resource hub featuring articles, videos, stories, financial guidance, career development tools, and personal stories for positive reinforcement and support, building on Cameron et al. (2019) and Grové's (2021) work highlighting chatbot technology's potential efficacy and usability in providing accessible and effective mental healthcare interventions.

Adopting a preventive mental health approach (Arango et al., 2018; Fusar-Poli, Paolo et al., 2021) and the minority stress model's implications for LGBTQIA++ Mental Health (MONGeLLi et al., 2019), this learning program and chatbot aims to foster mental health literacy, strengthen self-care, build resilience and self-acceptance through information, online support, workshops, and educational activities.

Our participatory methodologies and design thinking ensure the program is affirmative, inclusive, and responsive to the LGBTQIA++ community's needs. We collaborate with community organizations and queer mental health professionals to keep the platform relevant, improve mental health literacy, and connect users with evidence-based resources, support, and care.

Leveraging universal internet and mobile phone access and platforms like WhatsApp combined with multilingual text and video resources, this solution caters to queer individuals' diverse literacy, linguistic, and class needs in the sub-continent. It allows anonymity, respects privacy, and enables identity exploration, capacity improvement, and consequently better mental health. Our Rahaat Project work highlighted the urgent and growing need among queer folks for such affirmative, culturally relevant mental health resources and support, and the desire for meaningful, fulfilling lives. Moreover, feedback showed queer youth sought culturally sensitive, multilingual information, support, and affirmative resources unavailable in South Asian languages.

Our solution caters to LGBTQIA++ youth (18-24) in India and South Asia, a group facing unique stressors, mental health challenges, systemic stigma, hate, discrimination, and barriers to accessing support, resources, and community connections. These individuals frequently encounter stigma, lack of information, affirmative narratives, and inclusive services, exacerbating isolation and distress, leading to long-term mental health issues. Currently, their mental health needs, access to multilingual resources, affirmative multi-identity narratives, and support remain significantly unmet (Moagi et al., 2021) due to structural barriers, economic constraints, limited literacy, social stigma, self-stigma, widespread discrimination, exposure risks, and coercion into conversion therapy. Inter-family abuse and institutional coercion are widespread. Moreover, their mental health needs are not a priority for the health system or policymakers, and growing conservatism further diminishes equitable access to information, resources, and care.

Our proposed solution addresses their concerns in two ways. 

Our initiative specifically tackles LGBTQIA++ youth's mental health needs by introducing a multilingual digital learning program and support chatbot. This platform serves as an accessible information and support hub, offering multilingual text, video resources, and culturally tailored educational content. The chatbot provides real-time assistance, directing users to relevant information and resources instantly. This anonymous, accessible digital space enables youth to seek help and engage freely, without fear of stigma or discrimination.

Accompanying online workshops,  and other activities, allow these youth to gain a deeper understanding of their identities, learn coping mechanisms, and build supportive networks with peers and faculty who understand their unique experiences.

Our strategy incorporates the synthesis of prevention and promotion perspectives, recognising that effective interventions should not only attempt to prevent mental health disorders but also try to promote positive developmental outcomes (Greenberg, Weissberg, et al., 2003; Catalano, Hawkins, et al., 2002) This dual approach of learning, building capacity, and providing ongoing support not only offers immediate access to supportive resources but also fosters a sense of resilience, community and belonging, crucial elements that are often lacking for LGBTQIA++ individuals in traditional educational and social settings. Through our chatbot / WhatsApp service, we believe users will be able to decrease the severity of symptoms of isolation,  depression, anxiety and stress (Grové 2021). Additionally, affirmative narratives will reduce self-stigma and hopelessness and boost their overall mental well-being. Our approach aims to empower LGBTQIA++ youth in India and South Asia (Moagi et al. 2021) with the knowledge, resources, and support necessary to improve their mental health and navigate life with greater resilience and confidence. 

Through this initiative, we anticipate a significant positive impact on the mental well-being and overall quality of life for LGBTQIA++ youth, driving meaningful change in their personal and communal experiences. Over the long-term, these changes will enable LGBTQIA++  youth to more fully embrace their potential, and their mental health challenges and address them to improve their physical health, educational achievement and life goals assessed through self-developed and standardised mental health tools.

Our team is well-positioned to deliver this solution due to our diverse experiences and expertise in developing technology solutions addressing health issues within LGBTQIA++  and other vulnerable communities. Blue Banyan Consulting is experienced in tackling a range of issues including gender, sexuality, mental health, TB, and HIV among vulnerable and at-risk youth populations.

Our extensive experience of working directly with these communities through the Raahat Project has equipped us with invaluable insights and understanding of their unique challenges and needs. Also, our team has previously worked with and lived the experiences of LGBTQIA++ communities. This team led by Chapal Mehra, public health specialist and advocate for queer youth mental health has been working with queer communities for over 2 decades and has a strong understanding of their challenges, stressors, evolution and lived experiences, and community history. Our hands-on experience enables us to tailor our approach effectively, ensuring that our solutions are not only comprehensive but also community-led, culturally sensitive and inclusive. The feedback on Raahat allows us to nuance the solution to make it more extensive, detailed and yet targeted.

Our strong understanding of queer mental health is further strengthened by lead consultant Ketaki Ranade (Dr) who is  one of the leading experts on queer mental health in India and brings extensive experience understanding, in-depth research experience and insights with a strong combination of lived experiences and academic strength to refine this solution. 

Moreover, our content design team is headed by Vashita Madan, who is a seasoned content and communications professional and has a strong understanding of technology and content design and technology solutions for queer folx in South Asia. We also have an established network within educational institutions, government agencies, and various partners further strengthens our ability to implement and scale this innovation nationwide and regionally. Our partnerships team headed by Subhasis Chakraborty has a strong focus on building partners and through collaborative efforts with these stakeholders, we can maximise the reach and impact of our solution, ultimately improving health outcomes for LGBTQIA++ individuals across the region.

Massom Raza who is working with us on the technology front has a background in data science, technology for innovation and the development of public-facing technology solutions.

Moreover, our long-term partnerships with pivotal organisations such as the Naz Foundation, SAATHI and many other queer collectives allows us to scale this across India and also South Asia. 

In essence, our team's combination of technical and mental health expertise, technology, experience, and strategic partnerships positions us to deliver this much-needed solution to the forefront of healthcare initiatives in India.

In the past two years, The Raahat Project has evolved from a concept to a dynamic, interactive learning platform dedicated to supporting the mental health of LGBTQIA++ youth by improving mental health literacy, self-care, an understanding of unique life stressors and coping strategies. 

This learning program is currently housed on an LMS and has been introduced in the testing and feedback phase to close to 300 participants. The workshops have reached close to 200 participants. Our program has been designed as a collaborative, community-led, designed and focused initiative in creating meaningful change at the individual but also community-level focussed on MH of queer folx.

Development and Impact:

We've developed an online learning program that serves as a comprehensive mental health resource for LGBTQIA++ youth, offering a range of services from e-learning modules to interactive workshops and fellowships. This program was born out of design thinking, participatory design and close collaboration with LGBTQIA++ youth communities across 4 Indian universities, ensuring that our content is culturally relevant, impactful, and rooted in the real-life experiences of those we aim to support. Our efforts have been multifaceted, encompassing a variety of engagement activities, including university events, and workshops.

Reach and Engagement:

Since launching our e-learning platform, we've seen significant engagement, with 300 individuals registering for our courses and 250 active participants benefiting from our resources. This level of engagement in the initial phase has provided extensive feedback but also underscores the demand and necessity for such targeted support within the LGBTQIA++ community in India.

Partnerships and Community Feedback:

Our project's growth has expanded by partnerships with numerous experts, community leaders, queer collectives and organisations like Mitr Trust, and the Naz Foundation. These collaborations have amplified our reach and impact, enabling us to connect with a wider audience and integrate diverse perspectives into our program.

The feedback from our participants has been positive, affirming the value and effectiveness of this solution. There have been requests and suggestions on the need for an expanded version that is comprehensive, provides on the go informational, multilingual and culturally relevant information and support. Online learners have praised the program for its comprehensiveness and relevance, highlighting its positive impact on their understanding and management of mental health. Offline feedback from workshop participants echoes this sentiment.

Responsive Growth:

We see increasing demand for more content and support, signalling the project's relevance  and the community's growing needs. We receive requests from educational institutions for expanded programming and additional resources.

We are relatively new in expanding the program and it's still in its early stages of development. While we have experience in the field and the capacity to deliver, we need support and funding for expanding the program, strategic advice on how to make it more broad-based and establishing the necessary infrastructure to expand and fully realise this solution's potential. 

We are already in the process of establishing collaborations with key experts, organisations and stakeholders. This will allow us to expand the reach of this solution with partners who can take this solution to the identified communities and amplify its reach while also providing guidance on the best practices with patients. This would be even more beneficial if we could work with MIT faculty on some of these key issues and MIT Learning Lab to expand this program innovatively and incorporate best practices while incorporating cutting-edge technologies so that we can widen its reach and strengthen its impact. 

Our goal is to eventually expand this solution to high-burden countries elsewhere and hence we are also keen on learning from organisations like MIT and other Solvers that have successfully expanded across multiple countries, particularly in terms of managing diverse teams operating in various linguistic contexts.

Furthermore, we recognize the importance of establishing a robust diverse set of advisors and partners who can bring in strategic advice, theoretical and academic rigour, best practices and new perspectives and help us view this challenge from multiple and multi-disciplinary contexts. Finally, from a sustainability perspective, we see the need for guidance on establishing a proficient fundraising team to propel our initiatives forward and look and explore new partnerships which makes this solution relevant for millions fo queer South Asians everywhere. MIT guidance, support and assistance in these endeavours would greatly contribute to our ability to develop, expand, engage our audiences  and finance our strategic plans effectively.

Finally, attaining recognition as a Solver would significantly bolster our credibility and facilitate connections with potential partners on a global scale. It would also bring significant credibility in South Asia where even discussing this issue in educational institutions and with governments can be enormously challenging. We believe this affiliation would be instrumental in advancing our mission.

What distinguishes our solution is its unique approach that prioritises building individual capacity but also a supportive mechanism to inform, guide and assist  LGBTQIA++ youth at a critical point in their lives. This is based on previous academic work that focuses on strengths, resilience, and other protective factors that can bring about positive individual and community-level results. Guided by the principles of CAT, CBT, ACT, design thinking, and preventive approaches  it  is a community-led and community-designed initiative, filling a gap as no such comprehensive  and culturally relevant program currently exists for LGBTQIA++ youth in South Asia. 

Including South Asian queer history and regional identities, practices and cultural representation of queer lives makes this a unique and affirmative resource like no other. This is drawn from the extensive work done by Vanita and Kidwai and Pattanaik that establishes a long queer history in South Asia. In doing so, it argues for more inclusive and diverse identity paradigms that waver from the linear Western approaches. 

By utilising the individual/end-user as the point of transformation, and change and building mental health literacy, resilience, empathy towards self and agency this program addresses the mental health needs of LGBTQIA++ individuals in a culturally relevant and empathetic manner. Through the chatbot, it aims to help create long-term positive change in their lives specifically addressing unique life stressors in the social context of lived queer lives. Drawing from our successful first phase of the program, it builds on our strong understanding of the lived experiences, needs, fears, insecurities and challenges of this user group through garnered feedback, and reflections that have helped affirm and also strengthen this approach. 

Designing this for low-resource, low-bandwidth geographies creates greater access, where offline services are challenging to access. Our solution acknowledges this gap by leveraging the increased mobile access in South Asia to deliver digitally personalised learning mental health information and support tailored to the needs of LGBTQIA++ young adults.

Recognizing the relevance of differentiated literacy levels and sub-gender and sexuality identities  in the subcontinent as also diverse linguistic practices and culturally relevant information, this solution addresses this through multilingual, youth-led,  easy to understand AV content, that is led by multiple identity denominations and incorporates key cultural practices and histories to creative inclusive, representative affirmative narratives.,  

Leveraging queer folx in universities, through community networks and social media influencers  and popular media s allows us to maximise reach, dissemination, and usage. Moreover, our initiative recognizes the critical need to dismantle the stigma surrounding queer identity and mental health, both within universities and society at large.

The Raahat Project employs a strategic, evidence-based approach to enhance LGBTQIA++ youth's mental health and well-being in India. Our theory of change grounds in the minority stress model and resilience conceptual framework. Through the minority stress model, we examine the unique stressors faced by LGTBQIA++ communities, defining resilience as beneficial behavioral patterns, functional competence, and cultural capacities utilized under adverse circumstances (Fredriksen-Goldsen, 2007b). While our analytical framework is the minority stress model, our goal is building resilience through literacy, resources, ongoing support, self-care, and life-skills.

Long-term outcomes are improvements in mental health literacy, affirmative self-sense, self-care building mental health resilience measured by increased beneficial behavioral patterns and functional competence improving mental well-being (self-developed instrument), and decreased depression (PHQ-9) and anxiety (GAD-7) severity.

Our theory of change is based on the view that structural social stigma, discrimination, and abuse lead to self-stigma, self-hate and consequently poor mental health can be mitigated through building mental health literacy, self-care, and reducing self-stigma which results in beneficial behavioural patterns, and functional competence. Hence, this program will focus on building mental health literacy, accessible affirmative and culturally relevant identity narratives and building self-care capacity and beneficial behavioural patterns with the goal to build resilience and decrease self-stigma and self-hate. 

Intermediately, it aims to improve relational well-being, resilience, and self-care capacity. Addressing these negative social contexts through affirmative narratives will support the development of a healthy identity (Meyer, 2013). These outcomes are based on the logic that individuals can exemplify characteristics that reflect the “process of, capacity for, or outcomes of successful adaptation, despite challenging or threatening circumstances” (Masten, Best, & Norman, 1990, p. 426).

In our approach, in particular, we also use the ideas of Selective and Indicated Prevention. Selective Prevention targets individuals or subgroups of the population whose risk of developing a mental disorder is higher due to biological, psychological or social risk factors. Indicated prevention is used to target high-risk people who are identified as having minimal but detectable signs or symptoms foreshadowing mental health issues. However, other factors may predispose them to mental health issues but they do not currently meet the criteria for those at this time.

We attempt to address risk and protective factors. Risk factors associate with increased severe or longer-term health problem probability, while protective factors modify, ameliorate, or alter responses to challenges, informing our approach integrating mental health literacy, sexuality, and self-care.

The outputs that will contribute to the attainment of these intermediate and long-term outcomes include the number of users who complete the 3-5 learning sessions that we have created for Rahaat based on the evidence-based approaches of CAT, CBT & ACT. By completing these sessions, users will develop coping skills to improve their mental well-being. 

To achieve these, we'll use social media and marketing tactics reaching LGBTQIA++ youth, encouraging engagement with our learning program and WhatsApp chatbot.

Our impact goals for The Raahat Project are designed to foster substantial improvements in the mental health and affirmative sense of self of LGBTQIA++ youth in South Asia. These goals are strategically aligned with our mission to instigate meaningful and enduring positive changes for our target demographic.

Over the next year we will engage over 10,000 young LGBTQI+ people in South Asia and provide them with access to a mental health course and the chatbot as a resource to to reduce self-stigma, improve mental health literacy, mental health illnesses specifically depression, anxiety and stress. Those who become users will not only see an improvement in mental health but we believe an overall improvement in quality of life, building their resilience, and capacity to realise their potential. 

In the intermediate (4-6 years), we hope to reach 100,000 youth, expanding to countries in South Asia where LGBTQI+ youth are in need of mental health resources, support.

Impact Goals:

1. Improved Mental Health Literacy: Increase mental health awareness and understanding among LGBTQIA++ youth.

2. Reduced Self-Stigma: Substantially reduce self-stigma among for LGBTQIA++ youth through affirmative narratives.

3. Enhance Resource Accessibility: Expand access to and utilisation of LGBTQIA++-affirmative mental health resources.

4. Improved life Skills: Building on good mental health, create improved life skills, self-care and affirmative life perspectives 

Measuring Progress:

To measure the success of The Raahat Project in enhancing the mental health and well-being of LGBTQIA++ youth in India, we will employ a comprehensive set of metrics aligned with our theory of change and long-term outcomes. Here are some

• Mental Health Literacy: (questionnaire at the start, middle and end of the program, 

  • surveys assessing knowledge and understanding of mental health concepts

• Affirmative Sense of Self: (Tool developed internally)

 (online questionnaire at the start and mid-end of the learning program )

• Self-reported improvements in self-acceptance and self-esteem

• Mental Health Resilience: tool?

• Reduction in Depression and Anxiety Symptoms:

  • Pre- and post-intervention assessments using standardised scales such as PHQ-9 and GAD-7

Tools for Measurement:

• Learning Platform Analytics: Utilise built-in analytics tools to track user engagement, completion rates, and module performance.

• Qualitative Interviews and Focus Groups: Conduct qualitative interviews and focus groups to gather in-depth feedback on users' experiences, perceptions, and challenges.

The Raahat Project approach integrates various tech components. Our web-based learning uses  the internet and audio-visual media to ensure ease of absorption and access. It is currently hosted by a trans woman and with queer-identifying mental health experts. program for building community trust, representation and identification. Moreover, it will be self-paced allowing folx to learn and absorb at convenience with ease and anonymity and privacy. 

Building on wide access to the internet, mobile phones and pervasive WhatsApp usage, we use evidence-based strategies along with these digital technologies to design, manage and adapt automated conversations in multiple languages, through our chatbot making it suited for different segments of our target audience. This will ensure the responses are personalised, accurate and affirmative at all times.  

1. Web-based Learning Platform: Our platform is an interactive, intuitive space designed for engagement and learning. It features a responsive design to ensure accessibility across devices and internet speeds. It includes multilingual content to ensure acceptability. 

1. AI-powered Chatbot: The chatbot, uses advanced natural language processing algorithms to understand and respond to user queries with precision. The chatbot guides users to relevant resources, offers support in navigating the information, and provides immediate, confidential assistance. It will have visual and audiovisual components as well. 

1. Multimedia Content: Our content strategy employs a diverse range of formats, from video tutorials and expert interviews to interactive webinars and personal stories, regularly updated based on user feedback ensuring relevance and timeliness.

1. Social Media Engagement: Beyond the platform, we extend our reach through strategic social media engagement. This includes live Q&A sessions, awareness campaigns, and community-building initiatives

2. Life Skills: Using technology, the program uses self-care strategies,and building of resilience and life skills as a means of  long-term transformative change in LGBTQIA++ lives . 

5 

2 years

Our is a diverse, multilingual, multi-regional team which is especially important for South Asia. Additionally, a large percentage of the project team identifies as LGBTQI+ individuals, and if not allies. Also, a large percentage, as high as 75% of us,  especially queer folx, have lived experience with discrimination, abuse and also mental illness, such as depression, anxiety, self-stigma and substance use. As queer individuals and religious minorities, we have over time encountered difficulties in accessing affirming mental health resources, and a lack of affordable and accessible health services. Hence, we closely understand the transformative impact of effective mental health interventions. Additionally, our entire team consists of folks from India and are a mix of regional, religious caste and gender minorities. As an organisation dedicated to advancing the health and wellbeing of sexual and gender minorities, we wholeheartedly embrace diversity and inclusion in all aspects of our work.

Our business model revolves around providing mental health support and resources directly to LGBTQIA++ youth in India and South Asia through our digital platforms, primarily our WhatsApp chatbot and online learning platform. We aim to address the unique mental health needs of this demographic by offering accessible, culturally relevant, and affirmative content and support.

Key Components of Our Business Model:

WhatsApp Chatbot Services:

• We will provide on-demand mental health resources through our WhatsApp chatbot, which offers personalised assistance and guidance to users.

• The chatbot is designed to engage users in conversations, help assess their mental health needs, provide ongoing support, relevant information and resources, in real-time.

• Users can access the chatbot 24/7, ensuring that support is available whenever they need it, regardless of their location or time zone.

Online Learning Platform:

• Our online learning platform serves as a comprehensive hub for mental health education and resources tailored to LGBTQIA++ youth.

• Through this platform, users can access a variety of multimedia content, including videos, articles, webinars, and interactive modules, designed to enhance their mental health literacy and resilience.

• The platform also facilitates community engagement and peer support, allowing users to connect with others who share similar experiences and challenges.

Content Development and Curation:

• We invest in the development and curation of high-quality, culturally sensitive multi-identity representative content that addresses the specific mental health needs and concerns of LGBTQIA++ youth.

• Our content covers a wide range of topics, including affirmative narratives, diverse identities, coping strategies, self-care practices, and navigating societal stigma and discrimination.

• We continuously update and expand our content library based on user feedback, emerging research, and evolving community needs.

Partnerships and Collaborations:

• We collaborate with mental health professionals, community organisations, educational institutions, and other stakeholders to expand our reach and impact.

• Through strategic partnerships, we leverage existing networks and resources to promote our services, reach underserved populations, and amplify our message of LGBTQIA++ mental health advocacy.

• These partnerships provide opportunities for co-creation, knowledge exchange, and mutual support in advancing our shared goals of promoting mental well-being and inclusion.

Ultimately, our stakeholders are motivated by a shared desire to create ongoing, positive  and transformative change and improve the well-being of their communities. They seek our products and services because they recognize the value of collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and innovation in addressing complex challenges. 

To achieve financial sustainability, we intend to rely on a combination of donations and grants from organisations interested in mental health and LGBTQIA++ equality. We are actively identifying and cultivating relationships with potential donors and corporate partners  who align with our mission and vision and are engaged in issues of mental health and diversity.

Additionally, we plan to explore opportunities for partnerships with corporate foundations and sponsors  as well and philanthropic foundations to secure funding for our initiatives.

In the past two years, we have secured a total of USD 100,000 in funding for our Online Learning Program from Grand Challenges Canada. The rigorous selection process for these grants and our success in securing them highlight the viability and promise of our solution. We  are also starting conversations with government programs for the expansion of this initiative in India . We will continue to pursue additional funding opportunities to support the ongoing development and expansion of The Raahat Project.