Table 1.

List of Community Participation Activities and their Description Happened During the STEP Project at Pudukkottai District of Tamil Nadu.

Community Participation Activity	Description
Support and use of community halls	• Psychiatric clinics: diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care • Disability camps: assessing and addressing the needs of individuals with disabilities • Family education programs • Skill training programs: offer training to both patients and caregivers, helping them acquire new skills, enhancing employability, and promoting economic independence • Observations of important health and mental health days
Financial support for events	• Organizing and funding events, demonstrating solidarity and support for mental health initiatives • They sponsored snacks during rallies and programs held in schools and colleges
Promotion of mental health awareness	• Funding for banners • Community members invited XXXX representatives to speak about mental health during the 100 Days Work program
Advocacy for special benefits	• Negotiation for special MGNREGS cards to provide 150 days of employment for persons with disabilities, including those with mental illnesses
Inclusion in Self-Help Groups (SHGs)	• Included persons with mental illnesses in general Self-Help Groups (SHGs) • They facilitate access to subsidy loans and skill training programs, which help individuals develop skills, gain employment, and achieve economic independence
Welfare measures and advocacy	• Community members actively participated in the Grama Sabha, advocating for the allocation of special or extra funds for persons with mental illnesses
Transportation support	• Arranged transport facilities when 108 Ambulance services are unavailable or insufficient • This support is crucial in ensuring that patients receive timely medical care, particularly in emergencies
Suicide prevention initiatives	• The community formed Suicide Prevention Committees at both the panchayat and taluk levels, reflecting its strong commitment to mental health and well-being • These committees conduct special meetings to strategize and implement measures to prevent suicides