Ruma Reju

During this time, Kerala faced a devastating flood, providing her with an opportunity to serve as a trained Psychological First Aid (PFA) volunteer alongside the Ernakulam District Mental Health Team. This experience ignited her dedication to psychology and trauma care, under the mentorship of Chilton George Fernandez, a trauma therapist specializing in EMDR.

Her journey continued through a network of PFA volunteers, interns, and like-minded individuals, conducting online study sessions via Skype. These sessions were recorded to ensure accessibility for all members. After six months of volunteership, she became eligible to attend a five-day residential training program in Systemic Family Therapy with Dr. Jacob SVD.

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019 became a period of intense learning. She undertook training in Tele-Counseling based on WHO protocols and, along with her team, explored defense mechanisms among gamblers, leading her into the field of addiction counseling. Throughout this time, her work as a mental health volunteer under her mentor allowed her to gain insights into various psychological disorders, including Anxiety Disorders, Depression, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, and Borderline Personality Disorder, using DSM guidelines. This experience helped her develop essential skills as both a client manager and a team leader.

In January 2023, she, along with her mentor, attended a one-month internship program at ttK Hospital, Adayar, Chennai, a rehabilitation center with over 40 years of expertise in research and training in de-addiction counseling. This experience deepened her understanding and empathy toward trauma clients.

Furthering her expertise, in March 2023, she joined the Universal Treatment Curriculum (UTC) for Substance Use Disorders, approved by the Colombo Plan and the Drug Advisory Programme (DAP). Conducted by the Ecolink Institute of Well-Being, India, she successfully completed 120 hours of training across eight modules in a live online format.

In February 2024, she attended a three-day course on Familial & Social Factors in Gender Identity Development in Lat Krabang, Bangkok, Thailand. This program provided her with valuable insights into adolescent development, parenting, and young adulthood, reinforcing her commitment to early mental health interventions and trauma healing.

Under the supervision of her mentor, Chilton George Fernandez, Ms. Ruma Reju has dedicated her life to promoting trauma-informed care and early mental health programs, striving to create a lasting impact in the field of mental health and well-being.