The Diploma in Anti-Caste Mental Health Practices is an 8-month in-person exploration based in Bengaluru starting June 2025. It is informed by Phule-Ambedkarite, Feminist, and Narrative practices and is a collaboration between The Blue Dawn and Narrative Practices India Collective.
The program addresses the omission of caste in mainstream mental health theory and practice and foregrounds anti-caste meaning-making as transformative practice.
The learning happens in person across 3 explorations over 8 months. Each exploration consists of 4 days of in-person training (approximately 8 hours per day) in Bengaluru.
In addition to the in-person explorations, there are online components including:
Exploration 1: 23–26 June 2025 (Mon–Thu)
Exploration 2: 11–14 August 2025 (Mon–Thu)
Exploration 3: 12–15 November 2025 (Wed–Sat)
Presentations & Graduation: 30 Jan – 1 Feb 2026 (online)
The diploma invites applications from community health workers, activists, teachers, counsellors, mental health professionals, writers, artists, social workers, occupational therapists, doctors, doctors in training, policy makers and others engaged in community and justice work.
Program Fee: INR 90,000 (non-refundable).
Multiple instalment options are offered:
Application Deadline: 28 April 2025.
Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed between 1–10 May 2025. Final enrolment confirmations will be communicated by 11 May 2025.
Scholarships are available specifically for participants from historically marginalised caste groups (SC, ST, OBC, NT, DNT, Indigenous/Adivasi).