Covid 19 pandemic has increased psychological distress in the general population and among marginalized groups, especially in persons with disabilities. Such people with special needs cannot perform their day to day activities without someone else’s support. The psycho-social impact of Covid-19 has drastically affected the mental health of differently abled persons as well as their parents and care providers. 

Social Justice Department under Government of Kerala has launched a novel initiative ‘Sahajeevanam help-desk’ to ensure doorstep delivery of services to differently-abled people and to provide them assistance and mental support during distress. This project is being implemented by the Social Justice Department in association with other Government Departments of Health, Education, Local Self Government and Women and Child Development. 

The Sahajeevanam support centres will function in all blocks in the State to provide mental support and ensure doorstep delivery of government services to the differently abled. Almost 3,000 volunteers including special educators have been selected from Special schools, Buds school and Samagra Shiksha Kerala for project implementation in every panchayath under the National Trust local-level committees.