My3Online – a project of AarogyaSeva Global Health Volunteer Alliance, is a FREE app designed to provide humanitarian mental health access to vulnerable, marginalized, underserved communities worldwide. This version is specific to those affected by the current crisis in Ukraine.
It has a three pronged approach:
1. ME – How I can help myself
2. My Community – My chosen 3 pillars of support, volunteers and community resources
3. My Healthcare Professional – A network of qualified mental health professionals
With just a few taps, the app can alert the support group in emergencies, open doors to a wide spectrum of curated activities or set up a consultation in person for advanced help.
The app will be very helpful to engage people who are now unable to access services due to physical and financial constraints or who are unwilling to access due to security and stigma issues. This will become an important tool to improve the mental health of the users.
AarogyaSeva: Global Health Volunteer Alliance, is a micro-volunteering non-profit organization registered as a Section 25 not-for-profit company in India and a 501(c)3 non-profit in the USA, that provides local, sustainable and comprehensive healthcare to marginalized communities in India, USA, Nepal, Rwanda, Mexico, Haiti and elsewhere for low or no cost. After over ten years working in the non-profit space as a doctor who served patients free of charge, Dr. Kulkarni realized the potential of the methodology he had developed to scale up and engage more stakeholders and serve as many patients as a large hospital within a few years. AarogyaSeva provides a platform for all sectors of the healthcare industry (including pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, private practitioners, and healthcare service providers of all specialties) to serve patients in local marginalized communities. AarogyaSeva is bringing healthcare to those who need it most and may otherwise have never had access to healthcare. They have reached over 100000 beneficiaries so far and hope to touch 1 million lives.
Our volunteers have worked tirelessly for the last two months to provide medical and humanitarian relief to refugees affected by the current war situation in Ukraine. We have partnered with several national and international organisations. We continue to provide support to the displaced communities to cope with the urgent medical and humanitarian needs.
• There were an estimated 10 million people displaced by the recent invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Refugees are of special concern and need protection and support.
• Refugees can be exposed to various stress factors which affect their mental health and well-being before and during their migration journey and during their settlement and integration.
• The prevalence of common mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) tends to be higher among refugees exposed to adversity than among host populations.
• Most refugees lack access to mental health services or experience barriers in accessing these. They also face disruptions in continuity of care.
• The mental health needs of migrants and refugees should be addressed by organizing inclusive and accessible promotion and prevention programmes; strengthening mental health as part of general health services; and ensuring timely diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation.
• Refugees contribute positively to society, but they cannot reach their full potential unless they are in good physical and mental health.