Association for Social Change Evolution and Transformation
 | |
| Abbreviation | ASCENT |
|---|---|
| Type | Non-profit organization |
| Purpose | Mental health awareness, training, advocacy, research |
| Headquarters | Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India |
Key people | Nithin Lalachan (Executive Director)
Dwitheeya Pathiramanna (Chairperson) Jimson E. R. Dr. Chinchu C. (Research Consultant) |
| Website | www |
ASCENT (Association for Social Change, Evolution, and Transformation) is a non-profit organization based in Kerala, India, dedicated to promoting mental health awareness, training, advocacy, and research. Comprising psychologists and researchers from various fields of social sciences, ASCENT aims to address mental health issues, develop training modules, and conduct research projects to foster social change.
Objectives and Activities
[edit]ASCENT's objectives include:
- Promoting mental health awareness
- Assisting in identifying signs of mental health conditions
- Developing training modules for mental health professionals
- Addressing treatment gaps in mental health care
- Engaging in disaster risk reduction and rehabilitation programs
- Conducting research projects in social sciences
- Providing sustainability and livelihood programs for marginalized communities, including the LGBTQIA+ community
- Establishing research and training centers, academic programs, and counseling services
ASCENT has organized numerous workshops, webinars, and training programs, such as:
- A webinar on Consent: In and Beyond Sex on World Sexual Health Day 2023[1]
- A Translational Psychology Workshop in 2023[2]
- A panel discussion on the World Mental Health Report 2022 in collaboration with St. Teresa’s College, Ernakulam[3]
- An 18-day Faculty Development Program on Mastering Research Methods in Behavioral Sciences in 2022[4]
ASCENT has also been involved in advocacy work, such as including registration facilities for Transgender and GSM communities in the International Film Festival of Kerala.[5]
Translation Work
[edit]Members of ASCENT have translated the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS) documents "The Declaration of Sexual Rights" and "The Declaration on Sexual Pleasure" into Malayalam, the primary language of Kerala. This contribution is officially recognized by WAS and mentioned on their website.[6][7]
Psychology Newsletter
[edit]ASCENT publishes "Manashasthra Varthamanam" (മനശാസ്ത്ര വർത്തമാനം), claimed to be India's first and only regional language psychology newsletter in Malayalam.[8] The newsletter aims to make psychological concepts, research, and knowledge accessible to Malayalam speakers, bridging the gap between academic psychology and the general public in Kerala. It also aims to train young psychologists in popular science communication.
Recognition and Awards
[edit]ASCENT is recognized by the Mental Health Innovation Network as an organization working in the field of mental health.[9]
Members of ASCENT have received grants and awards from international organizations for research and outreach:
- Spring 2022 Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI) Researchers in the Global South Grant[10]
- SPSSI Small-Scale Events Advancing SPSSI Grant[11]
- SPSSI Local- and State-Level Policy Work Grant[12]
- Society for the Improvement of Psychological Science (SIPS) Commendation Award[13]
- Second place in the Journal of Science Policy & Governance (JSPG), UNESCO, and UN Major Group for Children and Youth (MGCY) global paper competition on Open Science Policies as an Accelerator for Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals[14]
Key People
[edit]- Nithin Lalachan - Executive Director
- Dwitheeya Pathiramanna - Chairperson
- Jimson E. R. - Executive Member
- Dr. Chinchu C. - Research Consultant
Members of ASCENT have contributed to academic research, with publications in peer-reviewed journals.[15][16]
References
[edit]- ^ "Building Positive Relationships: The Declarations on Sexual Rights and Sexual Pleasure". World Sexual Health Day. Retrieved 2025-04-19.
- ^ "Association for Social Change, Evolution, and Transformation (ASCENT)". MH Innovation Network. Retrieved 2025-04-19.
- ^ "Panel Discussion on World Mental Health Report 2022". St. Teresa’s College, Ernakulam. Retrieved 2025-04-19.
- ^ "18 Days Faculty Development Program on Mastering Research Methods in Behavioral Sciences". St. Teresa’s College, Ernakulam. Retrieved 2025-04-19.
- ^ "Association for Social Change, Evolution, and Transformation (ASCENT)". MH Innovation Network. Retrieved 2025-04-19.
- ^ "WAS Declaration on Sexual Pleasure". World Association for Sexual Health. Retrieved 2025-04-19.
- ^ "WAS Declaration on Sexual Rights". World Association for Sexual Health. Retrieved 2025-04-19.
- ^ "Association for Social Change Evolution and Transformation (ASCENT)". Mental Health Innovation Network. Retrieved 2025-04-19.
- ^ "SPSSI Global South Grant Recipients". Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues. Retrieved 2025-04-19.
- ^ "SPSSI Small-Scale Events Grant Recipients". Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues. Retrieved 2025-04-19.
- ^ "SPSSI Local- and State-Level Policy Work Grant Recipients". Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues. Retrieved 2025-04-19.
- ^ "SIPS 2023 Awards Announced". Society for the Improvement of Psychological Science. Retrieved 2025-04-19.
- ^ "Global Paper Competition Results: Open Science Policies". Journal of Science Policy & Governance. Retrieved 2025-04-19.
- ^ Chinchu, C. (2023). "Balancing Regulation and Autonomy: NCAHP Act and the Psychology Profession in India". Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine. 46 (4): 350–355. doi:10.1177/02537176231179920. PMC 11268281. PMID 39056041.
- ^ Chinchu, C. (2023). "Time for Action: A Case for Mental Health Advocacy in India". Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Mental Health. 10: 101–106. doi:10.1007/s40737-022-00306-3.