“If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up people to gather wood, divide the work, and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea”
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
And,
“if you want to build a sustainable community mental health system, don’t just focus on learning therapeutic techniques and becoming the expert in ‘curing illnesses’. Instead, develop a yearning for a dignified, inclusive, conscious and humane society.
Join UNREAD if this is your shared dream
At Hank Nunn Institute (HNI), we focus on distress over diagnosis in all our interactions be it with those coming in for therapy or among ourselves as those unwittingly placed in their paths as fellow travellers. A shift from the conventional biomedical and clinical models, we challenge top-down, expert-driven narratives and the resulting power dynamic between those offering and seeking mental health care.
UNREAD is an attempt to journey towards more anthropological views on mental health: to look at the world we are born into, and develop an understanding of the complexities of existence as they impact mental health. UNREAD also aims to facilitate the implementation of these attitudes to effect change in society, and enhance the quality of life of communities around us through capacity-building of mental health professionals.
Unlearning of concepts that locate disturbances in an individual, Relearning the ability to think critically as well as understanding life stories within the larger sociocultural and political context, Adapting to the ever-changing nature of human life, and Advocating for every individual’s right to dignity in mental health care are essential in developing a conscious eco-bio-psycho-social attitude towards growth.
Thus, the name, UNREAD.
UNREAD also draws attention to experiences and stories that are overlooked or remain unspoken in the many years spent in learning human psychology within the four walls of a classroom.
Modules
Therapeutic Community Methodology
– History & Philosophy
– Principles & Concepts
– Systemic Approach
– The TC Experience: HNI and Mosaic
Relational Practice
– Developing Sensitivity to Lived Experiences, Service User Involvement, Working in Collaboration
– Complex Mental Health Needs in the Indian Context
– Eco-bio-psycho-social perspective
– Distress Over Diagnosis
– Working with Individuals with Complex Needs
– Managing Risk
Working with Groups
– History & Philosophy of Group Analysis
– Basic Concepts
– The Role of a Group Facilitator/Therapist
– Experience of Being in Groups
Community Mental Health
– Community Awareness Programs
– Designing and Executing Community Specific Programs
– Networking & Advocacy
– Community Project
Program Duration
1st September 2021 to 28th February 2022, Monday to Friday
Timelines
Applications open: 12th July 2021
Intake conversations: 25th July – 10th August
Last Date for Applications: 31st July
Announcement of finalised list of participants: 15th August 2021
Eligibility
Attitude:
We are inviting applications from those interested in
– learning to engage with people as people
– exploring mental health care beyond the conventions
– developing a community based systemic approach to mental health
– reflecting on the impact of their own power, position, and privilege within a system
– engaging in group therapy
Educational Qualification:
For Clinical teams: Masters in Psychology (Applied, Clinical, Social, Counseling, Forensic)
For Outreach: Masters in Developmental Studies, Social Work, Organisational Psychology, Organisational Behaviour, Behavioural Sciences, Business Communications
Financial Investment
₹8000/month + ₹500/session for once weekly group therapy (paid directly to the group therapist)
FAQs
1. What is the duration of the program?
6 months – September 2021 to February 2022.
2. What is the application and selection process?
Once you fill out the application form, you will receive the date and time to meet the interview team. This conversation with the interview team will be focused on getting to know you better, discussing your responses on the application form, understanding your journey so far, responding to your concerns and anxieties about the program, and helping you assess whether UNREAD is the right step for you. We will announce the final list of participants on 10th August 2021.
3.Who can join UNREAD?
It is open to anyone who meets the eligibility criteria, who is willing to commit to the program for 6 months, and is not a patient at HNI or does not have a boundary conflict with an existing patient or therapist at HNI.
4. What are the topics covered during the program?
UNREAD aims to cover the basics of psychotherapy along with encouraging the development of an eco-bio-psycho-social perspective on mental health. Our robust and culturally congruent ‘distress over diagnosis’ framework primarily draws from principles of relational psychodynamic practice, group analysis, and therapeutic community methodology. Please refer to the modules for more details.
5.Does participating in UNREAD ensure employment at HNI post-completion?
While being a part of UNREAD does not confirm your employment, it is a requirement for being hired at HNI. Job interviews happen in the 4th month of UNREAD. The selection is based on mutual feedback and assessment of the team’s and applicant’s experiences with each other during the training, as well as the requirements of the organisation at that point in time.
6.Do I have to pay for the program?
Yes. The program fee is ₹ 8000/month for each individual. Each participant will also be required to engage in personal therapy in a group format and will need to bear the cost for the same independently. We have done our best to keep the program fee at the lowest end possible. As there are no external sources of funding to support this program as yet, we are unable to offer any scholarships.
7. Do I have to relocate for the program?
No. Due to COVID, UNREAD is being held online for 2021-22. All you need is a room of your own and good internet connection.
8.Does UNREAD qualify me as a psychotherapist?
Psychotherapy, unlike psychology, is not a recognised licensed profession in the Indian mental healthcare system as yet. Hence, UNREAD, while robust and application based, is not a qualifying course. However, it does equip one with necessary therapeutic skills and builds capacity to work in high stress settings. Certificates provided at the end of the program are endorsed by our international partners (logos on the poster above).
9.What are the timings of the program?
Your time at UNREAD will be structured across 5 days a week. Most of the learning spaces will be accommodated between Mon-Fri from 08:30 AM – 08:30 PM with breaks through the day. Since HNI works 7 days a week between 8:30 AM-8:30 PM, certain spaces such as assessments and other ongoing programs like the community awareness events, alternative large group, webinars and occasional informal meetings happen over the weekend as well. There is enough space for each participant to design their own week outside of the regular weekly spaces.
10.Can I participate in UNREAD in parts (e.g. specific modules)?
Participants will be required to complete all 6 months of the program in order to receive the certificate of completion. Since the program is revised each year, and components often overlap or follow through in continuation, it is not possible to attend it in parts.
11.Can I participate in UNREAD while pursuing my job or college?
UNREAD is designed to be a full time intensive program. Along with intellectual stimulation, it also places emotional and psychological demands on participants as learning to work with others requires us to develop consistent awareness of our own thoughts, feelings, and behaviour in a community set up. This means the time that is available for rest and leisure is also important for you to be able to absorb and digest all that has been churned up during the week. We would therefore advise against joining UNREAD if you have already committed to engaging in another program.
12. I am in therapy at HNI/in private practice with a therapist from HNI. Can I still participate in UNREAD?
We do not encourage individuals who are currently in therapy at HNI or those who share other sensitive boundaries with existing patients/therapists at HNI to join UNREAD in order to maintain the safety that comes with keeping these boundaries intact. However, if you have terminated therapy 2 years ago with no contact with your therapist, you could apply for UNREAD with the awareness that this will take away the opportunity to resume therapy with the same therapist in the future, if needed. Like other nuanced aspects, this can be a longer conversation that we have during the interview.
