About Us

The Institute

The Indore Society for Mentally Challenged conceived in the year 1995 is the realization of the long cherished dream of dedicated mental health professionals and parents. ISMC is a society ran by perents of mentally disabled children and philanthropists. Here perents of these children only can be office bearers. They have shown more significant commitment to the mental health problems of children and adolescents over long years, therefore established ISMC. It is a result of their collective effort to create a platform to explore, discuss, and act on the social determinants of mental health. The institute has completed almost 20+ years of its existence and has been enhancing and providing skills to motivate, train and assist lives of mentally disabled and their families.

The society is committed to improve the experience of mentally disabled, give them better opportunities and to support them in all possible ways so that they can live a meaningful life. Dealing with mental ailment cases is very challenging vis-à-vis physical disorders. What the society needs is a proactive approach and not a reactive one while dealing with such issues. Here, both teachers and the parents play a crucial role. While it is vital to train, educate and make them an active component of society’s mainstream, it is equally important to counsel parents and tell them the role that they play in the overall development of such children. Therefore, ISMC regularly conducts vocational training programs and counseling session for teachers and parents to give them the required exposure. Today, ISMC is optimistic that through the collective efforts of children, parents, teachers, mentors, members and the general public, the institute will make a positive difference in the life of such children that will help the society to grow eventually.

Our Vision

To promote positive mental health in children and adolescents and to lay a foundation of a society where the mentally disabled are perceived as differently able. We intend to achieve this by following a proactive approach in dealing with such cases with dignity and sensitivity.

Our Mission

To promote the treatment, care and prevention of mental and emotional disorders and deficiencies of infants, children, adolescents and their families.
To provide elementary education and vocational training to the mentally disabled along with job security and rehabilitation by acquiring professionals and instructors to impart education and training, and support other welfare activities.
To make arrangements for various campus and establish centers in different parts of Indore district to provide direction and guidance to the parents through training and counseling.
To promote national and international collaboration among various healthcare professionals especially those dealing with mental disorders and work jointly towards the attainment of goals.
To give support to the institutions involved in arranging welfare programs.
To publish educational literature and maintain a library of such work for mentally challenged.
Create / build group home for differently able children that will work as day care center, occupational therapy center and hostel which can serve 250 persons.

Overview

The mental disorders and the mentally disabled are still considered a taboo in most parts of India. Although we have embraced the tag of a developed nation, we are still far in our sensitivity and perception towards the mentally disabled. However, it is the time when the society, especially the parents and the teachers start acting as mentor and guide to tackling such children with the same love and care as they show to any healthy child.

Mental disorder cases can be improved to an extent (depends on case to case basis) and those suffering from them can lead a healthy life. Training and counseling are instrumental in influencing the mental well- being of such children.

We all, together, should not consider it as a stigma, instead must look it as merely a disorder and should develop a sense of empathy and contribute towards prevention and treatment of such disorders as much as possible. We should promote a conducive and friendly atmosphere for them and give them all chances to grow and nurture.

Our Affiliations and Registrations

Member of The National Trust
Registered with Registrar of Firms and Society
Registered under FCRA under Ministry of Home Affairs
Registered under Sec 80G of Income Tax
Affiliated with Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India
Affiliated with Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of Madhya Pradesh
Affiliated with PARIVAAR – National Confederation of Parents Organizations (NCPO)
Registered with NGO Darpan of Niti Aayog

Meet Our Committee Members

Dr. Shikhar Jain

He is the person behind what ISMC is today! He started the school with the Noble and honest intention of making the lives of the mentally challenged better and to give them equal status in the society. Initially, there was noor little awareness in the people and they considered it more of a stigma, but Dr. Shikhar Jain never lost hope and continued towards his goal. He conducted road shows and seminars to bring awareness in the general public and laid the foundation of the society. It is his sincere and profound efforts that the society is running smoothly till date and has given a hope to the mentally challenged students and their families.

Dr. Diwakar Bhai Shah

President of ISMC, Dr. Diwakar Bhai Shah is a visionary who understand how the children and the families of mentally disabled feel and how they are looked upon by the society. To eradicate the stigma attached to mentally disabled, Dr. Diwakar started giving his selfless services to the society and uplifted working . He is a qualified M.B.B.S doctor and a chemical trader, he has also authored many books, he is also the ex- president of Gujarati Samaj. He instilled the faith in other society members that they are not alone and he is there to manage the society with peace and harmony.