Archive · 22 Dec 2025
Muktaa Foundation Breaks Mental Health Stigma in Pune
The Muktaa Charitable Foundation in Pune, India, has been working for nearly two decades to help people with mental health issues, addiction, and HIV/AIDS.
They offer free counseling through a helpline and have helped over 300,000 people.
The foundation also runs programs in schools to teach students about mental health and addiction.
They believe that talking about these issues openly can help people feel better and get the support they need.
Many people, especially men, are now reaching out to them for help, showing that more people are starting to take mental health seriously.
Muktaa Charitable Foundation was established in 2005 to address mental health issues, addiction, and HIV/AIDS in India.
The foundation offers free mental health counseling through a helpline launched in 2022, handling over 300,000 calls.
Around 65% of helpline callers are male, a demographic often reluctant to seek emotional support.
Muktaa's SHALA program has reached over 8,000 students, teaching life skills and mental health awareness.
The foundation also provides HIV/AIDS awareness and addiction support, aiming to reduce stigma and promote open conversations.
- Who
- Muktaa Charitable Foundation, founded by seven volunteers, including Dr. Rupa Agarwal
- What
- A non-profit organization providing free mental health counseling, HIV/AIDS awareness, and addiction support
- When
- Founded in 2005, with the helpline launched in 2022
- Where
- Pune, India, with callers from various countries
- Why
- To break the stigma around mental health, addiction, and HIV/AIDS, and provide accessible emotional support
- Founded
- 2005
- Founders
- Seven volunteers
- Helpline Launched
- 2022
- Helpline Calls Handled
- Over 300,000
- SHALA Program Started
- 2015
- Students Reached
- Over 8,000
- HIV Awareness Since
- 1997
- Addiction Support Since
- 2015