Rajo, a soft toy stall owner on the old Delhi-Gurgaon road, suffered from clinical depression and anxiety. ASHA workers, who played a crucial role during the pandemic, are now helping bridge the gap in mental health care in rural areas. They screen people using questionnaires and refer those in need of professional help. In the last two years, ASHA workers in Gurgaon screened over 4,000 people and recommended 1,300 for counseling at government hospitals. This initiative is vital as rural areas lack awareness and access to mental health services.
