Skip to content

Programs : Brochure

This page is the brochure for your selected program. Questions? Email the appropriate Program Advisor listed below.

Brown School - BALM Practicum (Outgoing Program)

Print  Save  Share

  • Locations: Chennai, India
  • Program Terms: Fall, Spring, Summer
  • Homepage: Click to visit
  • Restrictions: WashU applicants only
Dates / Deadlines:

There are currently no active application cycles for this program.
Fact Sheet:
Fact Sheet:
Click here for a definition of this term Approved Areas of Study: Public Health, Social Work Click here for a definition of this term Minimum GPA: 3.0
Click here for a definition of this term Language of Instruction: Click here for a definition of this term Non-Language Prerequisite(s): One international course from Brown with a B or better
Click here for a definition of this term Scholarship Opportunities: Khinduka Scholarships Click here for a definition of this term Program Advisor: Tammy Orahood
Click here for a definition of this term Additional Opportunities: Internship, Research, Service-Learning Click here for a definition of this term Programs by School: Brown School
Program Description:

The Banyan Academy of Leadership in Mental Health (BALM)

BALM logo
Address: 6615B Spurtank Rd, Chetpet, Chennai, India

Website: http://www.thebanyan.org/html/banyanacademy.html

Sector of Work: Mental Health; Advocacy; Women's Empowerment

Region/Country: India: Mugappair west, KK Nagar, Chennai; Kovalam Village, Kancheepuram

Mission: To contribute to a society that accepts the mentally ill for who they are and finds a constructive place for them within its folds.

Description:
The Banyan began as a shelter and transit home for homeless women living with mental illness who had wandered from their homes across the country and ended up in the streets of Chennai. One of the founders' core beliefs was that the women needed to receive timely treatment and to be rehabilitated into mainstream society. Sixteen years later, The Banyan is now able to reach out to women and men of a variety of levels to support them on their journey to recovery.

BALM pic

PRACTICUM DETAILS

Language Requirement: None necessary, Indian Languages if available

Possible Projects: Building a network and increasing stakeholders in the mental health sector. Working with patients with affective and behavioral disorders.

Projects of Past Practicum Students: 
1. Data entry and analysis
2. Traveling to various urban or rural clinical sits (on-site visits)
3. Working with patients with affective and behavioral disorders
4. Working with patients who are homeless
5. Clinical practice and research tasks 
6. Research studying psychotic symptoms (such as hallucinations and delusions)

Past Skill Development of Practicum Students:
1. Excel
2. Manuscript
3. Database management
4. Research and literature reviews

Preferred Knowledge and Background: Advocacy, Policy, Research Dissemination, Mental Health, Social Action, Public Health

Cost: Students are responsible for flights, housing, potential visa fees, and living expenses. No compensation is available. Students are required to purchase purchase WUSTL travel insurance for the duration of their practicum for $40/month. Past practicum students paid for an apartment online. In-country travel costs were no more than $20/week and groceries were no more than $30/week for basic food (eggs, milk, bottled water). 

Brown School Contact: Global Programs Office

Travel Immunizations or preventative medication is recommended and may be required for your program participation. Students are responsible for covering all associated costs. Please refer to the CDC for more information. 

To apply and rank BALM as one of your Brown School practicum choices,
click here.