Mental wellness app launched for transgender persons

Manasu, a bilingual (Tamil and English) mental wellness mobile application exclusively for transgender persons, was launched at the office of the Inspector-General of Police (Central Range) in Tiruchi on Monday.

According to an official press release, V. Balakrishnan, Inspector-General of Police (Central Range) presented the inaugural version of the app and it was received by P. Mohana Nayak, non-official member, Thirunangai Welfare Board, Tamil Nadu. A group of 15 transgender persons were present at the ceremony.

The app was designed by Community Renovation and Organisation Advancement Trust (COROAT) managing trustee M. Padmavathi and her son, an Information Technology professional, with the aim of promoting the emotional and mental well-being of transgender persons.

“Though we have been regularly holding counselling sessions for the transgender community in our field work for over 15 years, we found that they were unable to sustain their personal self-esteem among societal challenges. We decided to promote positivity and self-motivation through the Manasu app,” Ms. Padmavathi told The Hindu .

The app is available for download at manasu.coroat.org (Chrome, Android and iOS). Among its features are a tracker for daily emotional check-ins, 30 practice sessions across 10 life skills, Tamil audio guidance, a 24/7 chatbot companion and crisis helplines.

“Manasu is meant to be a companion for self-awareness and is not a substitute for clinical care. The data is encrypted. COROAT will soon be offering the app to transgender persons in the ‘She in He — Avanul Aval’ programme across Tamil Nadu,” said Ms. Padmavathi.

The NGO launched the app with the association of LemonAid ChariTea Foundation.